Above: Delema circa, 1974
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 20, 1974
Missing From: Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: November 21, 1961
Age: 12 years old
Height and Weight: 5’5″ and 135 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Native American Female, Brown hair, Brown eyes, Delema is of Oglala Sioux descent and her nickname is “Babe”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white down filled jacket with two brown stripes on each sleeve, brown bell bottom pants, and a pair of sneakers
Details of Disappearance
Delema was last seen in the Pine Ridge area of South Dakota on February 20th 1974. She and a 12 year old friend left her home near Ogallala and were walking on a back road from Oglala to Manderson. The temperatures were below zero at the time they were walking.
Delema’s friend said she turned around to go back after her hands got frost bitten but she continued towards Manderson. This was near the Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She never arrived at her destination and has never been seen again.
Investigators believe that Delema is deceased but her body has never been found. At the time of her disappearance, Delema was a student at the Seventh Day Adventist School between Ogallala and Pine Ridge. Her disappearance remains unsolved and she’s missing under unknown circumstances.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety (605) 867-5141
Source Information