Thomas James Houghland was 5 years old when he disappeared from Sacramento, California, on July 11, 1978. He was last seen that evening with his mother, Norma Louise Houghland, and his older brother Richard after the family left a relative’s house at about 8:00 PM, reportedly heading home.

Concern grew when family members could not reach them in the days that followed. Their apartment was later found undisturbed and belongings were intact, including unopened mail and a welfare check. Norma’s 1965 light blue Pontiac LeMans, the car she had driven away in from the relative’s house, was missing and has never been recovered. Thomas was described as having brown hair and brown eyes and weighing about 40–45 pounds. The case file notes Norma had struggled with personal issues, including prior suicide attempts.

No confirmed whereabouts for Thomas or his family have been reported. If anyone has information that could help locate Thomas or clarify what happened to the Houghland family, please contact the Sacramento Police Department.