After 32 years the Niagara County Sheriff Department continues to search for Russell Mort, who was 2½ when disappeared from his fenced in backyard at 2080 River Road on May 5, 1982 in the Town of Wheatfield.
With assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an updated photo of how Mort would look as a man of 34 was issued in hopes of generating new leads. As a boy he had light brown hair, brown eyes, a small cleft on his chin and a small mole on the left side of his chin.
Russell had reportedly been playing in his sandbox at his family’s residence in the Lynch Trailer Park on River Road. According to reports on the case, Russell’s mother told police that she went inside for a few minutes to fix a toy and when she returned he was gone. Russell was never seen again. The gate in the fence was still closed and locked from the outside.
Some believe he may have been abducted and have searched for several suspicious individuals without success. Other officials believe he fell into the Niagara River which was about 100 yards from his home, and was swept away, however there is no evidence to support this theory.
On Friday the eighth annual “Ride for Missing and Exploited Children, which began at the Getzville Fire Department on Dodge Road traveled into Niagara County. A portion of the ride in Niagara County was designated as a silent tribute to honor Russell Mort. The riders traveled through Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda before returning to Erie County. All proceeds benefitted the Buffalo NCMEC NY branch to help support efforts to bring missing children home and promote child safety education.
This year’s ride began with an inspiring speech from Russell Mort’s mother which encouraged the riders to never forget the missing.
Anyone with information regarding the case of Russell Mort’s disappearance is encouraged to call the 24 hour hotline of National Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. Locally they can contact the Niagara County Sheriff Department’s 24 hour number at 439-3393 or Investigator John Wick at 438-3342 during normal business hours.
email: nfischer@buffnews.com
With assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an updated photo of how Mort would look as a man of 34 was issued in hopes of generating new leads. As a boy he had light brown hair, brown eyes, a small cleft on his chin and a small mole on the left side of his chin.
Russell had reportedly been playing in his sandbox at his family’s residence in the Lynch Trailer Park on River Road. According to reports on the case, Russell’s mother told police that she went inside for a few minutes to fix a toy and when she returned he was gone. Russell was never seen again. The gate in the fence was still closed and locked from the outside.
Some believe he may have been abducted and have searched for several suspicious individuals without success. Other officials believe he fell into the Niagara River which was about 100 yards from his home, and was swept away, however there is no evidence to support this theory.
On Friday the eighth annual “Ride for Missing and Exploited Children, which began at the Getzville Fire Department on Dodge Road traveled into Niagara County. A portion of the ride in Niagara County was designated as a silent tribute to honor Russell Mort. The riders traveled through Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda before returning to Erie County. All proceeds benefitted the Buffalo NCMEC NY branch to help support efforts to bring missing children home and promote child safety education.
This year’s ride began with an inspiring speech from Russell Mort’s mother which encouraged the riders to never forget the missing.
Anyone with information regarding the case of Russell Mort’s disappearance is encouraged to call the 24 hour hotline of National Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. Locally they can contact the Niagara County Sheriff Department’s 24 hour number at 439-3393 or Investigator John Wick at 438-3342 during normal business hours.
email: nfischer@buffnews.com