The Atlanta Child Murders
NBC News Atlanta, May 11, 1981
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"The missing person's department at that time and the Atlanta Police Department — and in many major cities — did very little to investigate the disappearance of young people. It was assumed that children and teenagers were runaways and not the victims of foul play." |
The first two victims were Edward Smith and Alfred Evans, age fourteen. When their bodies were found in July, 1979, police determined that both boys were involved with drugs. Investigation was very limited at the time, and the police dismissed their deaths as "drug-related." The first child to gain media attention was Yusef Bell, because his mother's efforts. Ultimately, 28 children, teenagers, and adults were murdered.
This case gained national attention because of the sheer number of young people murdered. |
Slideshow of the victims
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