Left and Center: Aaron circa, 1989
Right: Age Progressed to age 26
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: April 7, 1989
Missing From: Pine City, Pine County, Minnesota
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: June 23, 1987
Age: 1 year old
Height and Weight: 2’4″ and 32 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Brown eyes, Aaron has an enlarged head and a white birth mark located on the lower right side of his abdomen
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A gray ski jacket with red and green tabs, a half red and half yellow sweatshirt with a puffy dinosaur on the front, light gray corduroy pants with red checked flannel lining and cuffs, a white knit hat with green snowflakes and green ear flaps, brown plastic snowmobile boots with nylon tops and liners, Aaron was known to be wearing a Pampers branded diaper at the time and he may have been wearing gray socks
NCMEC Number: 723921
Details of Disappearance
Aaron Anderson was last seen in Pine City, Minnesota on April 7th 1989. He was last seen at approximately 4:30 pm as he played in the yard of his family’s house. His mother left him unattended for just a few minutes and he disappeared by the time she went to watch him. Aaron has not been seen or heard from since.
Authorities initially believed that Aaron had simply fallen into the Snake River which is home bordered and drowned. An intensive search of divers, boats, and planes took place. The divers searched the bottom of the river and found no trace of Aaron or his clothing he was wearing that day. They said something would have surfaced in the river if Aaron had in fact gone in.
Bloodhounds were also used in the search for Aaron. The bloodhounds did detect his scent but it did not go to the river. Instead, they traced his scent out to a road in front of his house and stopped there. Investigators believe it’s possible Aaron entered a vehicle there of that he was abducted at that point. Both of Aaron’s parents, Steve and Paulette Anderson, believe there son was abducted and is not aware of his past or that they are searching for him. They think he alive and have never believed him to be dead.
They criticized the initial investigation into his disappearance as police only focused on the drowning theory in his disappearance. Investigators did admit that they mainly kept their focus to the Snake River and ignored over 20 other potential leads which pointed away from the Snake River.
Both Steve and Paulette have since moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. They have sent their DNA to multiple agencies in hopes they may locate Aaron genealogically or that he may come forward someday with his DNA. They continue to search for their long missing son.
His case remains open and unsolved. Investigators have expressed their belief that someone might know something and have urged whoever might have information about Anderson’s whereabouts to come forward.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pine County Sheriffs Office 320-629-3930
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children