Police Can't Verify Woman's Claims to Be Missing Cherrie Mahan, Say Fingerprints Aren’t a Match

Brian Brant

7 June 2024 at 0:51 pm·2-min read

Pennsylvania State Police, who are investigating, say they've yet to have "in person contact" with the woman claiming to be Cherrie Mahan

<p>National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (2)</p> Cherrie Ann Mahan when she was 8 years old, left, and an image of what she may look like in 2024, right. — National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (2)
Cherrie Ann Mahan when she was 8 years old, left, and an image of what she may look like in 2024, right.

Police have shared an update after a woman claimed to be Cherrie Mahan, who disappeared in 1985 when she was just 8 years old.

Mahan was last seen getting off a school bus about 100 yards from her home in Pennsylvania on Feb. 22, 1985, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In May, a woman shared a post in a Facebook group claiming she was Mahan, CBS affiliate KDKA-TV and USA Today reported. The individual who made the post was banned from the page, moderator Brock Organ wrote on Thursday, May 30.

In an update on Thursday, June 6, Pennsylvania State Police said the woman left them a voicemail, but they've been unable to get in contact with her.

"No contact could be made with the female at the phone number and address provided by the female caller," state police wrote. "This female has not contacted the Pennsylvania State Police or any other law enforcement agencies that we are aware of since her original post or voicemail."

Police went on to say that they were able to obtain access to her fingerprints, although an initial review indicated that "she is not Cherrie Mahan."

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Although police have yet to make "in person contact" with the woman, they said that "if the caller decides to make herself available to the Pennsylvania State Police or any other law enforcement agencies, her claim will be investigated."

Three other women have come forward over the last 40 years claiming they were Mahan, but were not, according to KDKA-TV.

A $5,000 reward is still available for anyone who may have information that could lead to an arrest in the case.

A blue 1976 Dodge van featuring a mural of a mountain may be involved in her disappearance, per the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Reflecting on the upcoming 40th anniversary of her daughter's disappearance, McKinney told NBC affiliate WPIX that it "breaks my heart."

“I pray every single day of my life that she would just come home," she added. "If that is not God’s will, I hope that he will allow me to find out for sure exactly what happened to her.”

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