Left and Center: Clifton circa, 1983
Right: Age Progressed to age 49
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 22, 1983
Missing From: Lakeland, Polk County, Florida
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: July 29, 1967
Age: 16 years old
Height and Weight: 6’0″ and 170 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Hazel eyes, Clifton was diagnosed with Schizophrenia approximately several years prior to his disappearance and suffered various emotional breakdowns in the past, he might attempt suicide as a result of his condition and he was taking the anti-psychotic medication Thorazine at the time of his disappearance, he is known to oftentimes wear eyeglasses and his nickname is “Clif”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A t-shirt and a pair of shorts
NCMEC Number: 936549
Details of Disappearance
Clifton was last seen in Lakeland, Florida on August 22nd 1983. On the day of his disappearance, his father dropped him off at a friends home in the Lake Hollingsworth area. He planned to meet his friends here. His father came back to the home later that evening to pick his son up but Clifton was gone. He has never been seen or heard from since.
His parents expected him to be home by 10:00 pm but he never returned home either. He was reported missing on August 24th, 2 days after his disappearance. A day after he went missing, his parents found the screen on his bedroom window was removed. They discovered that $20, a change of clothing, and a bathing suit were missing from his room.
Investigators initially considered him a runaway but his parents do think he did this. He had recently been let out of the hospital and was looking forward to returning back to school. He also left behind his new glasses, medication, and his new school clothes. He never previously ran away from home.
When police questioned his friends, they told them that Clifton left the Lake Hollingsworth area in a vehicle driven by an unidentified person. Investigators are unsure if the person he was seen driving with was involved in his disappearance and they have no solid suspects or theories in the case.
At the time of his disappearance, Clifton attended a class for the emotionally disturbed at Lakeland Hugh School. He had been hospitalized several times over the years due to his schizophrenia. He was adopted by his parents when he was just an infant. His mother holds out hope that he’ll be found someday. She is still alive and lives in the same area. Cliftons case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Polk County Sheriffs Office 863-533-0344
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Florida Department of Law Enforcement