Daniel Stephen Spangle

Left and Center: Daniel circa, 1989

Right: Age Progressed to age 18


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: March 2, 1989

Missing From: Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California

Classification: Endangered Missing

Date Of Birth: May 13, 1987

Age: 1 year old

Height and Weight: 3’0″ and 35 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Blonde hair, Blue eyes, Daniel has a scar on the top of his left eyelid and his nickname is “Danny”, his middle name might be spelled as “Steven”

Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white t-shirt and blue pajama pants

NCMEC Number: 722131


Details of Disappearance

Daniel was last seen with his mother, Denise Fagot, on March 2nd 1989 in Lancaster, California. The pair were last seen by Denise’s boyfriend at their apartment they shared as he left for work. They were never seen or heard from again.

Denise and Daniel were discovered as missing when Denise’s sister stopped by the apartment to retrieve her key. This was two hours after they were last seen. The police were called to the residence to investigate the home. They found that the front door was open. They also found that the sliding glass door inside the home was open a few inches. This was odd because it was a cold day.

Investigators believe that the door was possibly forced open and that someone broke into the home. A single muddy footprint was found on the top of the air conditioning unit next to the sliding glass door. The closet door inside of Daniels bedroom was also off its tack.

Investigators initially believed that Denise left with her son voluntarily. Some agencies refer to Daniel’s case as a parental abduction and list Denise as his abductor. Investigators do not believe that he was taken by his mother. No articles of clothing were missing from the home besides the ones that they were wearing that day.

Investigators also found that Daniels car seat and diaper bag were still at the residence and that Denise’s car was parked in its parking place and undisturbed. They also noted that she payed for all utility bills for March of 1989 and she told no one of any plans to travel or leave.

Investigators do not know who could have broken into the residence. Denise had recently moved to Lancaster, California following her breakup with Daniels father and wanted to be closer to her family. Daniels father lived in the Orange County area at the time of his son’s disappearance.

His father was interviewed regarding their disappearance and was given a lie detector test in 1999. He apparently failed the test but investigators have no evidence that he was involved in the case or for an arrest. Investigators believe that both Denise and Daniel were the victims of foul play. The case remains unsolved.


Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office 213-974-4346


Source Information

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Charley Project

The Doe Network

NamUs