Left: Nelida in 1976; Right: Age-Progression by NCMEC to age 39 (circa 2006)

Nelida De Jesus Del Valle
Missing since December 20, 1976 from Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Classification: Non Family Abduction

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: July 9, 1967
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 9 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4'0; 50 pounds
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic female. Brown hair; brown eyes
• Clothing: She was last seen wearing a gold coat, dark blue slacks, black platform shoes and a white pullover sweater.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Nelida was last seen as she walked the block and a half from her home to Blackstone Elementary School on Shawmut Avenue. She has never been seen again. Nelida is described as quiet, shy and distrustful of strangers. Abduction is the most likely scenario explaining her disappearance, but there are few clues.
Several days after Nelida's disappearance, a woman reported to police that an acquaintance had given her a hat and gloves for her daughter. The hat and gloves were confirmed to be the same hat and gloves that Nelida was wearing at the time of her disappearance. Police picked up the acquaintance. Found in his possession were a gun and a fake police badge. There was not enough evidence to link him to the abduction of Nelida. He was given a one-year sentence for illegal possession of a weapon. He was later convicted and is serving a life sentence for the abduction, rape and murder of a woman and her daughter in New York. He continues to deny his involvement in Nelida's disappearance.
Nelida's sister suspects that the suspect had posed as a police officer in order to lure her sister, who had been taught to respect and trust the police.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Boston Police Department
617-343-4250

Agency Case Number: 040507468

NCIC Number: M-340464323
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Public Spirit