Eleven-year-old Michele Jolene Lakey, known as Jolene, disappeared in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on August 26, 1986. She had visited her mother at Mercy Hospital and was last seen walking on North Washington Avenue toward home, wearing a white shirt with purple trim, dark blue sweatpants, and brown sandals. Witnesses later reported seeing a girl matching her description possibly get into an unidentified light yellow car a block from her family’s house. Her plan had been to spend the night at a friend’s on Myrtle Street.

A local former auto mechanic, Frank Osellanie, later became a person of interest. He admitted knowing Jolene and said she sometimes played at his shop and he occasionally gave her rides; her route from the hospital passed his business. Osellanie was convicted in 1990 for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of another child and remained uncharged in Jolene’s case; investigators followed tips and searched locations tied to him but found no conclusive evidence. Osellanie died in prison in 2020.

Michele Jolene Lakey’s disappearance remains unsolved. If anyone knew Jolene, saw her that afternoon, or has information about the light yellow car, please come forward.