Despite dead-ends, IMPD still investigating missing children cases

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Two of IMPD’s most recent high-profile missing persons cases have yet to be solved.

Baby Janna Rivera who went missing late last month still hasn’t been found.

Baby Delano Wilson went missing nearly a year ago.

While police admit it’s very unlikely they will find either child, they are still working the cases.

“It is very difficult,” said Sgt. Paul Scott of IMPD’s Missing Persons Unit when asked about parents who don’t cooperate. “We’re used to people not telling us the truth in interviews.”

Willie Wilson, baby Delano’s father, was charged with murder in February.

“Our goal is to return the loved ones to the family members,” said Sgt Scott.

IMPD is also still working the Baby Janna case. Janna Rivera went missing in late May.

“We follow up on every lead,” said Sgt. Scott.

Not all cases end badly; just a month ago 3-year-old Michael Stepien, of Greenwood, was found safe after being reported missing 5 hours earlier by his father.

In all the cases neighbors came out to help find the missing children, and crews searched land and water.

Sgt. Scott says the first three hours are the most crucial, but he says they keep searching because, for some investigators, it’s personal.

“You have your own children and you can see the frustration in the parents, or with the parents and the community and so it weighs on the officers,” said Sgt. Scott, IMPD.

Willie Wilson’s trial was supposed to start in April, but was postponed to late September.

Baby Janna’s father hasn’t been charged with anything despite telling detectives he put the baby in a dumpster after she died.