Left: Age Progressed to age 9
Right: Age Progressed to age 28
Reason: Robert did not have any photos of him taken prior to his disappearance to the above is a composite made in 1994 to show how he would look at age 9
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 11, 1985
Missing From: Parker, Douglas County, Colorado
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: May 9, 1985
Age: 3 months old
Height and Weight: 1’6″ and 12 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Blue eyes
NCMEC Number: 778686
Details of Disappearance
Robert was last seen on August 11th 1985 in Parker, Colorado. He disappeared along with his sister, Ashley Bowling, who was approximately 18 months old at the time. They were in the company of their mother, Laura Bowling, and her boyfriend, John David Hinton. The children were never seen again.
The couple resurfaced in Louisiana and both children were missing. Laura sagged she gave Ashley to a Louisiana family for $10,000 but the family denied this later on. Laura eventually returned to Colorado without either of her children. She and Hinton both stated that Robert was dead. Laura initially said Robert had died from pneumonia but changed her statement and said that Robert was killed as a result of Hinton shaking him. His body was allegedly placed in a garbage bag and than put into a trash bin in Louisiana.
Due to lack of evidence in the whole situation, both children were listed as missing. Ashley was safely located 11 years later in 1996. She was still living with the Louisiana family who adopted her. She was reunited with her biological father.
Robert has never been seen or heard from since 1985. His disappearance remains unsolved and the circumstances surrounding his case are unclear.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Douglas County Sheriffs Office 303-660-7500
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children