The unsolved disappearance of Hayden Manis is one case that haunts the hearts of those who hear it.
He mysteriously vanished in Muncie, Indiana, without a trace in December of 2019 but was reported missing 5 years later in 2024.
His sudden disappearance has left behind a trail of questions, heartbreak, and disturbing allegations of abuse.
How does a child simply disappear?
And why did it take years for anyone to realize he was gone?
This is the tragic and baffling story of Hayden Manis, a case that has left investigators and loved ones desperate for answers.
Where is Hayden Manis?
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| Hayden Manis |
A Family’s Desperate Search for Answers
According to WHTR News. 4-year-old Hayden Manis was last seen on Christmas Eve in 2019, in Muncie, Indiana,
He was at a family gathering, excitedly opening presents, surrounded by loved ones.
That was the last time his family saw him.
When Hayden left his great-grandmother’s house that night, he was with his father, Dustin Manis.
What happened after that night remains a mystery.
Hayden’s grandfather, Gary, and his aunts have been left grappling with grief and unanswered questions.
They cling to cell phone videos and pictures, the only remnants of the little boy they once knew.
The family has pleaded with the public for help, begging for any information that could shed light on Hayden’s fate.
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| Hayden Manis's last Christmas in 2019 before he vanished |
A Troubled Past
Hayden Manis’ disappearance is made even more tragic by the troubled history of his parents.
Both his father, Dustin, and his mother had lost custody of Hayden when he was just one year old after testing positive for cocaine.
According to local news outlets, Police had found Hayden and his father in a motel room littered with heroin.
This led to Hayden being placed in the care of his grandfather, Gary.
For a year and a half, Hayden lived with Gary, who described him as a “good kid” who never caused any trouble.
But in 2018, after Dustin completed his sentence and underwent treatment and counseling, a judge ordered Hayden to be returned to his father.
Gary begged the court not to allow it, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
“It wasn’t my choice,” Gary said. “They wouldn’t even let me speak in court.”
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| Hayden Manis |
Visits That Slowly Stopped
After Hayden was returned to his father, the family would occasionally see him during visits.
But over time, those visits became less frequent, according to Hayden’s grandfather and aunts.
After the Christmas gathering in 2019, they stopped altogether.
Hayden’s aunts and uncles continued to reach out to his father Dustin via text messages, inviting him and Hayden to family events.
According to family members, Dustin would respond with vague assurances like: “We’ll try. Everything’s fine. Hayden’s fine.”
But Hayden never showed up.
For years, the family accepted these excuses, but by September 2023, they became very concerned.
After Dustin’s family members realized they hadn’t seen Hayden in a long time, they contacted the police to check on the little boy.
A Father’s Lies and a Tragic End
When officers from the local police department located Dustin, Hayden was nowhere to be found.
Worst of all, Dustin’s explanation didn’t add up.
He claimed that the Department of Child Services (DCS) had taken Hayden away years earlier and placed him with his mother.
However, criminal investigators quickly dismissed this story as false.
“No, that was a lie,” said Eric Hoffman, the prosecutor in Delaware County handling the case.
“We knew he was not telling the truth,” he added.
Tragically, the investigation took an unbelievable turn in November 2023.
Dustin was arrested on drug charges after being found with heroin and meth.
As a result of this, he spent a few weeks in jail before posting bond.
Four days after his release, Dustin died from a drug overdose.
His death left investigators with even fewer leads in the search for Hayden.
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| Dustin's message with a family member |
A Complicated Investigation
Hayden Manis' unsolved disappearance is a deeply complicated case.
By the time police were alerted, Hayden had been missing for almost 5 years.
“To get the call in 2024 that you’ve not seen a child since 2020 is a huge hurdle,” Hoffman said.
The lack of a clear timeline and the absence of key witnesses have made the investigation incredibly challenging.
Detectives have searched the Muncie house where Hayden was last known to be living with his father and his father’s former girlfriend.
They removed potential evidence and interviewed the girlfriend and her family members before they moved out of state.
Despite these efforts, no one has been able to lead police to Hayden, and no one has been charged in his disappearance.
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| Hayden Manus and his father, Dustin |
A Family’s Worst Fears
During this investigation, Hayden’s family has heard disturbing stories about what may have happened to him.
Allegations of abuse and neglect have surfaced, painting a horrifying picture of what Hayden may have endured before he vanished.
“I just hope it isn’t true, what he went through,” one family member said.
The details, though not publicly disclosed, have been described as “disgusting” and “horrifying.”
Prosecutor Eric Hoffman has been candid about his fears for Hayden’s safety.
“Based on the evidence I’ve seen and the interviews that have been conducted, I do not have a reason to believe that Hayden is still alive,” he said.
Most family members also seem to agree with Hoffman.
“I don’t think he’s with us anymore,” Hayden’s grandfather said
A Call for Answers
Hayden’s missing persons case has now been added to the National Registry of Missing and Exploited Children.
If he were still alive, he would be nine, almost ten years old.
Investigators are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.
“We need to know the truth,” Hoffman said. “We’re not going to stop until we get to an answer.”
As the search continues, one thing is clear: Hayden’s story is far from over, and those who love him will not rest until they know what happened to the little boy they miss so dearly.
If you have any information about Hayden Manus or his disappearance, please contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit.
Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to solving this heartbreaking mystery.
Here is a video of the family members narrating the ordeal to WTHR news
Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately.
You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.
The Indiana police department was informed by someone, Hayden Manis had a missing poster. My question is, whoever reported him, why were they no longer looking for him. No one has been looking for this baby, not one damn person for the last 5 years....
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