ABDUCTED: Johnny Gosch, September 5, 1982, Des Moines, Iowa

Have you heard of the original milk carton kids?

In the first episode of this three-part series, we explore the 1982 disappearance of 12-year-old Johnny Gosch, one of the first missing children to appear on a milk carton. Johnny’s case marked a turning point in how the U.S. approached missing child investigations and sparked ongoing discussions about child safety, media attention, and law enforcement response. We’ll walk through the timeline of events, examine key developments, and consider the lasting impact of Johnny’s story on his family, his community, and the nation.

SOURCES: 

https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2022/40-years-later-still-a-mystery-where-is-johnny-gosch

https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2017/09/04/missing-kids-milk-carton-campaign-outcome/627165001/

https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/johnny-gosch/

https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2024/milk-carton-kids

https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2017/09/04/johnny-gosch-kidnapping-west-des-moines-child-abduction-responses/595639001/

https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/601815/1

“Johnny’s Birthday: Missing Paperboy Johnny Gosch Would Have Turned 41,” by Aaron Brilbeck, WHOTV.com, November 11, 2010

Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here:

https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

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Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson