Steven Kraft – 2001 Missing Person – Benton Harbor
Case Information
Name: Steven Earl Kraft Jr
Date: February 15, 2001
Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan
12 year old Steven Kraft was last seen near his residence in Benton Harbor, Michigan on February 15, 2001. He left to take his dogs for a walk that evening, but never returned.
Steven Kraft was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 1, 1989. At the time of his disappearance, he lived with his family on a dead end street in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Steven did not have a history of running away, and none of his personal belongings were missing from his bedroom.
Timeline of Disappearance
On the evening of February 15, 2001, 12 year old Steven Kraft left home to walk his dogs. His mother was making dinner, and he was supposed to return by 8:00 pm.
Between 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Steven was last seen playing with his two dogs in the 2100 block of Holly Drive in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Steven didn’t return home for dinner as planned, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
After he failed to return home, his family began searching the neighborhood and making calls to neighbors. His mother reported him missing to the Benton Harbor Police Department at 1:00 am after being unable to find him.
Steven was last known to be wearing a blue-green Charlotte Hornets basketball team jacket, a tan and white striped t-shirt, tan parachute pants, and black boots.
Investigation
Due to a recent suspension Steven had received from school, police initially thought he may have been hiding so he wouldn’t have to go back to school the following day.
Investigators found Steven’s footprints, leading past an ice covered pond to Harbor Haven Ministries located at 2372 Irving street, about two blocks south of Steven’s home.
Temperatures in the area where Steven went missing were below zero on the day he disappeared, and remained cold for several days. He wasn’t wearing gloves or a hat, and could not have survived for long without shelter.
Three days after his disappearance, his older dog returned home and subsequently led his owners to a nearby pond, but no further clues as to Steven’s whereabouts were found. The following day his younger dog was found near Blue Creek, about a mile and half north of Steven’s home.
A few days after he was reported missing the FBI joined the investigation.
Investigators have searched Blue Creek, as well as the pond behind Harbor Haven Ministries, but found no additional signs of Steven.
In June of 2001 cadaver dogs were brought in to search the areas where Steven was last seen, but nothing was found.
The house where Steven lived was torn down in 2005; a local airport now takes up the space.
Steven’s father died in February of 2021, and his mother died in April 2021, both without ever knowing what happened to their son.
How to Submit a Tip
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Steven Kraft please contact the Benton Harbor Police Department at (616) 926-8221, or the FBI St. Joseph Michigan Office at (313) 965-2323.
News & Media
Searching For Steven – FBI
The Disappearance of Steven Kraft – Disappeared
