ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The St. Charles Police Department has established a new unit dedicated to locating missing persons.  

The effort aims to address the growing number of unsolved cases.

A glance at the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s list of active missing persons shows 642 missing adults and 545 missing juveniles reported across the state. The uncertainty families face when loved ones disappear is a big reason the department’s specialized Missing Persons Unit formed.

“It’s really the unknown that’s difficult in these situations. If someone has a loved one that’s been missing for a long time, that family really just wants to know what happened,” said Lt. Daniel Gibbons of the St. Charles Police Department.

To tackle these cases, seven detectives have been assigned to the new unit. 

“We’ve always investigated missing persons through our Central Intelligence Bureau, but now these detectives are specifically dedicated to locating these individuals,” Gibbons explained.

Formed in February, the unit has already made progress, successfully solving one case while currently working on eleven open cases. 

Their most recent case involves 18-year-old Hermelindo Tiul Chub, who was last seen in St. Charles on Feb. 3. Some cases date back decades, including the disappearance of Scott Kleeschulte, a nine-year-old boy who would turn 46 this April.

“We don’t ever let those cases rest. We continue to investigate them over the years,” Gibbons added.

The police department plans to share information about their open cases through social media and encourages the public to report any details that could assist in closing these cases.

Individuals can call 636-949-3300, reach out via social media or make an anonymous tip through St. Charles Regional Crimestoppers.