Above: Roland circa, 1984
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 25, 1984
Missing From: Wapato, Yakima County, Washington
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: September 30, 1980
Age: 3 years old
Height and Weight: 2’5″ and 25 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Native American Male, Black hair, Brown eyes, Roland is mentally disabled and is epileptic, he has seizures which require medication and he might slip into a coma, he can only 12 feet without falling over, he additionally suffers from hearing loss and had a very limited vocabulary at the time of his 1984 disappearance, he was only able to say “Mommy”, “Dada”, and “Do”, he has a scar on his abdomen, Rolands nickname is “Do-Boy” and he might use his middle name “Jack”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A red t-shirt with stripes on his sleeves, a pair of brown cordouroy pants, and tan colored boot
NCMEC Number: 1149796
Details of Disappearance
Roland was last seen in Wapato, Washington on May 25th 1984. He was last sighted in the area of Knight Lane and Campbell Road. He has never been seen again. Investigators believe that Roland was abducted by a non family member.
In 1982, Rolands mother, Celestine Faye Spencer Yallup went missing as well. On November 11th 1982, her body was discovered at the bottom of a gully in a field off McCullough Road along the north slope of Ahtanum Ridge. She had been missing for two weeks before she was found. She apparently died of hypothermia and her death was ruled an accident.
In 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reopened the investigation into her death and the murders of other Native American Women. There were 15 other women who were murdered on or near the Yakama Indian Reservation in the 1980s and the 1990s. It’s unknown of her death is connected to the other murders and no connection to her sons disappearance has been made.
At the time of his presumed abduction, Roland lived with his great aunt. He was sent to live with her following the death of his mother. Investigators do not believe Roland is alive and he has since been declared deceased. His disappearance remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Yakima Tribal Police Department 509-865-7765
Source Information