"Vanished without a Trace: The Disappearance of Bianca Lebron"

Bianca Lebron, a 10-year-old residing in Bridgeport, Connecticut, lived with her parents and older sister Janissa. She was a bright student who enjoyed singing, and dancing, and had a pet hamster named Nina. On November 7, 2001, Bianca and Janissa walked to Elias Howe School when Bianca informed her friends and teacher that she wouldn't be attending classes that day because her uncle was taking her on a shopping trip to the mall.

Shortly after, a van with tinted windows pulled up to the school, and Bianca got into it. She hasn't been seen or heard from since that day.

When Bianca informed her teacher that she wouldn't be in class that day due to a supposed uncle picking her up for a shopping spree, the teacher didn't raise any suspicion. Instead, she marked Bianca absent for the day and observed her get into a van with a strange man. If the teacher had contacted Bianca's mother to verify the man's identity, she would have discovered that Bianca didn't have an uncle.

Bianca's parents grew concerned when she hadn't returned home by 4:30 pm, but initially assumed she was at a friend's house, which wasn't unusual for her. However, as time passed and they still hadn't heard from her, they reported her missing at 8:30 pm.

The unidentified driver of the van that Bianca got into was described as a man in his 20s or 30s, with curly dark hair, long sideburns, and a beard. He wore a blue long-sleeved shirt embroidered with the "Gap" logo, jeans with the cartoon character "Fat Albert" on the rear left pocket, and brown Timberland boots.

After six months, a person of interest was announced, identified as 20-year-old Jason Lara, who also went by the name Gonzalez. Bianca's friends reported that Jason was her "secret older boyfriend," and they had witnessed the two kissing despite Bianca's young age of 10. Jason allegedly had a friend who owned a van similar to the one Bianca was last seen in, and he fled Bridgeport one month later.

In 2002, Jason was located in Florida, and while he faced charges of second-degree forgery in an unrelated case, he maintained his innocence and was cleared of any involvement in Bianca's disappearance after providing an alibi.

Bianca Lebron (L) age-progression (R)

Bianca's teacher faced repercussions for allowing her to depart the school premises with an unknown man and was subsequently suspended. Her parents sued Elias Howe School and were awarded a $750,000 settlement. The school has since shut down.

The quest to locate Bianca Lebron persists, almost 22 years after her disappearance. Bianca was last witnessed wearing khaki pants, a green and beige camo shirt, a denim jacket, and black boots. At present, she would be 31 years old.

If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Bridgeport Police Department at 203-576-7671. A $62,000 reward is offered for any significant leads.