Public asked for details in missing child case from 1960s

KAMLOOPS – The search for Edna Bette-Jean Masters, who went missing July 3, 1960, continues.

The family who knew the 21-month-old as Bette-Jean called police when the girl went missing after playing with friends at a residence near Red Lake, 45 miles Northwest of Kamloops.

Cpl. Cheryl Bush says Bette-Jean never returned after her disappearance and police have no evidence to suggest what happened. Bush says after the girl was reported missing officers, volunteers, an airplane and a police dog searched the area — which includes ponds, forests and roadways.

At the time of her disappearance, Bette-Jean wore a green bonnet with a white frill, an undershirt, a pink short-sleeved t-shirt, faded pink overalls, white socks and sandals. Bette-Jean weighed around 24 pounds. Her hair was blonde, fine and curly. She had blue eyes and a fair complexion.

After issuing a plea for information to the public in 2013, a police sketch artist examined photos of family members and created a drawing to reflect what Bette-Jean may look like today.

Anyone with information on Bette-Jean’s disappearance — no matter how minor the detail — is asked to come forward and contact the rural RCMP at 250-314-1800. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.