Left and Center: Daffany circa, 1988
Right: Age Progressed to age 34
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 26, 1988
Missing From: Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: November 2, 1980
Age: 7 years old
Height and Weight: 3’7″ and 55 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Female, Black hair, Brown eyes, Daffany is epileptic and requires daily medication in order to maintain her seizures and other symptoms, she did not have her medication with her when she disappeared and if she goes more than 3 days without it, she will experience frequent seizures which are often preceded by severe headaches, she wore her hair in a style which is described as a short to medium length Jheri curl style at the time of her 1988 disappearance and she has pierced ears, she might spell her name as “Daphne”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue/white checkered or striped sleeveless shirt, blue/white walking shorts, all of her clothing was labeled with her name
NCMEC Number: 719139
Details of Disappearance
Daffany was last seen in Jackson, Mississippi on July 26th 1988. She had left her grandparents residence at some point between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm following an argument with her mother over some fish sticks. She was last seen walking towards Northside Drive. She never returned back to the residence and was never seen or heard from again.
It was uncharacteristic of Daffany to stay out past dark. Investigators believe foul play may have been involved in her disappearance. Her biological father was questioned after her disappearance and was ruled out as a suspect in her case. He has since passed away.
When Daffany went missing, her mother’s boyfriend, Ernest Lee Epps, was being investigated for an allegation that he inappropriately touched Daffany as she slept during the night of June 29th. He was the father of Daffany’s two year old twin brothers. She told an aunt of the incident after it happened. Epps maintained his innocence in the allegation.
Ernest was arrested on July 8th and charged with sexual battery. His family once offered the Tullos family $175 to drop the allegation against him but they refused and went forward with the charge. He was released on bail during the morning of July 26th, Daffany disappeared later that evening. He did pass a polygraph exam but her family members and friends suspect he or someone he knew had a role in her disappearance.
Despite the fact that Epps was out of jail during the time that she disappeared, they have been unable to link him to her disappearance. He died in Jackson in 2009 at the age of 48. Investigators have received multiple tips regarding her whereabouts which went as far as Michigan. Investigators are unsure of what exactly happened to Daffany on the evening she disappeared.
At the time of her disappearance, Daffany lived with her grandparents in their home in the 4400 block of Azalea Drive in the northern region of Jackson. Her mom lived in an apartment on Bailey Avenue. She was due to start the 2nd grade in the autumn of 1988. Her disappearance deeply affected her family and they have never given up on trying to find her.
Daffany’s disappearance remains unsolved and there’s been no sign of her since 1988.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Jackson Police Department 601-960-1234
Federal Bureau of Investigation 202-324-3000
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children