A woman claims to be the missing 8-year-old Pennsylvania girl who has been missing for 39 years.
Almost four decades since she was last seen, a woman on social media has come forward, claiming to be the missing child who mysteriously disappeared years ago.
Due to the sudden claim, a new investigation has been brought into the incident, leaving the girl's mother and the community in a state of hopeful skepticism.
Woman Claims To Be the Missing 8-Year-Old Girl
Cherrie Mahan vanished on February 22, 1985, after disembarking from her school bus just 100 yards from her home in Cabot, located 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Despite extensive searches and numerous appeals over the years, no significant leads had emerged until a Facebook post last month brought renewed attention to the case.
On May 23, a woman posted in a Facebook group called "Memories of Cherrie Mahan," declaring herself to be Cherrie. The post garnered national media attention, but Janice McKinney, Cherrie's mother, remained unconvinced by the claim.
McKinney wrote in a public Facebook group, revealing that she is talking to the police and that authorities are investigating the case. She added that this situation is hard on her part and reminded everyone in the group that she can see every comment made by the members.
McKinney has since contacted the Pennsylvania State Police, who have begun an investigation into the woman's assertion. The woman who made the claim has been blocked from the Facebook group due to allegations of harassment and bullying.
Group administrator Brock Organ emphasized that if the woman were genuinely Cherrie, she could easily arrange a DNA test through the police, rather than making aggressive claims online.
Organ wrote that if it truly was her missing daughter, Cherrie Mahan, she could have presented herself like any reasonable person in this situation, presented herself at any police office, and arranged for a DNA test without posting online and making aggressive claims.
The Ongoing Investigation
The Pennsylvania State Police, in coordination with an out-of-state agency, are working to locate the woman who made the Facebook claim.
However, as of Tuesday, they have yet to establish contact with her using the information provided. Trooper Bertha Cazy confirmed to the Butler Eagle that the investigation is ongoing.
This recent development comes as the Mahan family marked the 39th anniversary of Cherrie's disappearance in February. Each year, McKinney prays at the spot where her daughter was last seen, holding onto hope for a resolution.
Reflecting on the day Cherrie disappeared, McKinney recalled a conversation with her husband. "Leroy's like, 'Do you want me to go down and pick her up?' And I said, 'No, it's a beautiful day, she'll come running right up over the hill because she wants to go to her friend's house.' But then that never happened," she said.
Despite various leads over the years, including a sighting of a bright blue 1976 Dodge van with a mountain and skier mural that was suspected to be involved, the case remains unsolved.
Authorities have stressed that Mahan's case is still active, as they continue to receive tips.
A Community's Hope
The resurgence of interest in Cherrie's case has brought mixed emotions to the community and her family.
While the claim may be fraudulent, the possibility that Cherrie could still be alive provides a glimmer of hope. Organ urged group members to please continue to pray for the family.
Anyone with information about Cherrie's case is encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 724-284-8100, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at missingkids.org, or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or p3tips.com.
