Left: Barry circa, 1981
Right: Age Progressed to age 43
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 22, 1981
Missing From: Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: July 15, 1970
Age: 11 years old
Height and Weight: 4’5″ and 60 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Blue eyes, Barry is dyslexic and he is also known as “Bucky”
NCMEC Number: 778439
Details of Disappearance
Barry was last seen in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 22nd 1981. His parents Josephine Kephart and Barry Kephart Sr. claimed that he left them a note which read “I went down the block… be back soon”. He was believed to have been walking to a friends home at the time. His family waited two days until they reported him as a missing child. He has never been seen again.
Investigators have always suspected his parents knew more about his disappearance then they had let on initially. They now believe that Barry was killed by both his parents on the night of his disappearance.
Barry’s sister, Beverly, came forward after the case was reopened in 1994 and told investigators that she was at home during the night that her brother disappeared. She stated he would not have been able to write a letter for his parents due to his dyslexia.
Beverly told investigators that her father, Barry Sr., was furious with Barry after he stole a neighbors chicken. Beverly was told to go to her room. She could hear her brother cry as he was beat by his parents with a belt buckle. She said she heard him cry, scream, and sounds that appeared to be “thuds” then all the noises stopped.
She cried herself to sleep that night knowing what her parents did to her brother. Investigators suspect that Barry died as a result of the beating and that his body was placed in a dumpster near his home. They also stated that they presume his parents waited so long to report him missing so that the garbage truck would take the dumpster away with the body in it.
Beverly claimed that both Josephine and Barry Sr. abused all of their children in 1981 and that Barry Sr. was an alcoholic.
His parents both repeatedly denied that he was killed. His father did admit that he beat Barry that night but stated he did not kill the boy. Investigators do not believe that Barry’s remains are recoverable but have closed his case.
Investigators said they did have enough evidence to file charges but there was a statue of limitations present and as a result no charges were filed. Investigators stated they always suspected Barry’s parents of involvement. His mother has since died and his father is still alive and maintains his innocence in his sons case.
Barry’s body has never been found but investigators believe he is no longer alive.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Albuquerque Police Department 505-768-2300
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children