07/20/2001 - news

Steven Kraft case makes 'Most Wanted'
By MIKE RUPERT / H-P Staff Writer

BENTON TOWNSHIP -- For months the face of missing 12-year-old Steven E. Kraft III has been seen on posters in restaurants and banks and on telephone poles throughout Southwest Michigan.
Now, local law enforcement officials are hoping a 15-second spot on the popular television series "America's Most Wanted" to be aired July 28 could give them some help.
The Hull Elementary School fifth-grader was last seen about 6:45 p.m. Feb. 15 outside his home with his two dogs, but his family didn't realize he was missing until about 9:30 that night.
The investigation began with an extensive ground search. Volunteers and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, combed 10 square miles, or a third of the township. They searched woods, streams, fields, and four miles of Blue Creek.
The dogs were later recovered, but Steven never turned up.
While leads continue to trickle in every week, an FBI investigator said he is hoping the national exposure could bring in some new information.
"The more we have his picture up the better off we are," said Al DiBrito. "Locally, it's pretty saturated, everybody knows his face, but this should bring some national attention."
DiBrito said the Kraft family sent letters and e-mails to the television show trying to get Steven a spot. The show's producers decided to air the clip after contacting DiBrito to verify the information.
Anyone with possible information should call the Benton Township Police Department, 926-8221.