Charles Christopher Francis was 7 when he vanished from Santa Ana, California, on April 9, 1979. He had accompanied his father, Dennis, who was delivering water tanks that day. Because children were not allowed at the job site, Dennis left Charles at the corner of Chestnut Avenue and Lyon Street while he unloaded the truck. When Dennis returned about ten minutes later, Charles was gone.

At the time his parents were engaged in a custody dispute; Charles’ mother held legal custody and a hearing had been scheduled later that month. Investigators initially looked at the possibility that a parent had hidden him, but no evidence supported that theory. Attention later turned to James Crummel, a convicted killer and child molester active in the area who was linked to other child disappearances. Despite extensive investigation, Charles remains missing and foul play is strongly suspected.

Anyone who knew Charles, the family, or who was in the Chestnut Avenue and Lyon Street area that morning is asked to come forward with information.