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Missing Sheryl Ann Tillinghast 
Sheryl, approximately 1973; Age at the time of disappearance: -progression to Age at the time of disappearance: 60 (approximately 2016) Date reported missing : 09/24/1973 Missing location (approx) : Wassaic, New York Missing classification : Endangered Missing Gender : Female Ethnicity : White DOB : 04/16/1956 (65) Age at the time of disappearance: 17 years old Height / Weight : 5'3, 140 pounds Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos : Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Sheryl was last seen in Wassaic, New York on September 24, 1973. She was employed in the laundry room at Wassaic State School for Mental Defectives at the time. Sheryl is from Phelps, New York and had originally been sent to a reform school after pleading guilty to a marijuana possession charge. After that school burned down, she was sent to the Wassaic State School. She didn't want to leave after she graduated due to problems within her family, including verbal and physical abuse. However, she maintained regular contact with her loved ones at home. Prior to her disappearance, Sheryl told her family she was going to visit home for her mother's birthday. She told her older sister she'd gotten a car, and the two of them planned to move to California together. When Sheryl didn't arrive home as scheduled, her mother called Wassaic State School and was informed Sheryl didn't want to come home. Her mother believed Sheryl had left on her own, didn't report her missing and made very little effort to find her. It wasn't until 1998, 25 years later, that the rest of the family realized no missing persons report had been filed. Sheryl left behind all her belongings, including two paychecks worth $150 in total. There hasn't been any activity on her Social Security number, bank records or Department of Motor Vehicles records, any indication that she's been married, any sightings, or any other sign of her since 1973. Her mother died in 1996, but siblings are still searching for her. Foul play is suspected in Sheryl's disappearance, which remains unsolved. Other information and links : ncy New York State Police 585-398-4100 September 2021 updates and sources New York State Police The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are not known. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2�5% of missing children in Europe. By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends. Several organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and imAge at the time of disappearance: s of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children USA Today NBC News |