IA XAVIOR HARRELSON: Missing from Poweshiek County, IA - 27 May 2021 - Age 10 *Found Deceased*

Authorities searching for 10-year-old boy who disappeared in Poweshiek County

Authorities are searching for a 10-year-old boy who went missing from a mobile home park in Poweshiek County on Thursday morning.

www.thegazette.com

Authorities searching for 10-year-old boy who disappeared in Poweshiek County​

Authorities are searching for a 10-year-old boy who went missing from a mobile home park in Poweshiek County on Thursday morning.

Xavior Harrelson was last seen around 11 a.m. Thursday in Montezuma, according to the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, blue pajama pants and black high-top shoes. He has brown hair and blue eyes and is about 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation joined the investigation Friday.

Xavior left his home in the Spruce Village Mobile Home Park and has not been seen since, Assistant DCI Director Mitch Mortvedt said. The boy’s mother believed Xavior had gone out to play with friends, he said.

“Obviously, we’re very concerned,” Mortvedt said. “This is a young boy — he’s only 10 years old — and he’s been missing for more than 24 hours.”

The mobile home park is in northwest Montezuma, less than half a mile from Diamond Lake County Park, which Mortvedt described as a “vast wooded area.”

Mortvedt said it’s unknown if there is any criminal aspect to the boy’s disappearance, “but we are treating it like there is and deploying as many resources as we can to find him.”

“Right now, we are double- and triple-checking his friends’ houses and the places he is known to hang out. We are canvassing the immediate areas and knocking on doors and talking to people, and we’ll expand the search from there if we need to,” he said.


MEDIA - XAVIOR HARRELSON: Missing from Poweshiek County, IA since 27 May 2021 - Age 10

 

[GrandmaBear]

This is an odd case. I remember talk and details of it and think I recall them fairly well. Mom was definitely questionable and they ahd argued as I recall. And all of it sounded like the son took care of mom more than mom took care of child...

So she is in other trouble but who knows who killed Xavier. I didn't miss anything on that did I? They found him after a long time but no charges on that right? Or as to who?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

No arrests 2 years after Xavior Harrelson's disappearance

The 10-year-old was reported missing on May 27, 2021. His remains were found on Sept. 30, 2021.

www.kcci.com

No arrests 2 years after Xavior Harrelson's disappearance​

Saturday marked a tragic milestone of an unsolved mystery in Iowa.

Xavior Harrelson disappeared from Montezuma two years ago, just days before his birthday.


There have been no arrests or suspects identified and no cause of death has been released.

On Saturday, KCCI spoke to the mayor of Montezuma, Jacki Bolen. She asked that anyone with information about Xavior's disappearance speak to authorities.

"If anyone knows anything, has heard anything. You know, has a memory that has come back to them... concerning the Xavior around the time of this disappearance, I would definitely encourage you to reach out to the police department," Bolen said.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Officials: Tips few and far between in Xavior Harrelson death investigation

Xavior Harrelson disappeared on May 27, 2021, from his family home in Montezuma. A farmer found his body in a field four months later.

www.kcrg.com

Officials: Tips few and far between in Xavior Harrelson death investigation​

More than two years since the disappearance of 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson from his home in Montezuma, investigators said tips in the case have largely slowed down and are few and far between.


Investigators said they are treating the circumstances around Xavior’s disappearance and death as suspicious but have stopped just short of saying that foul play is involved. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said that foul play could encompass several different elements ranging from murder to a hit and run.

“With this being unresolved, there are things we cannot comment on right now . . .obviously because he’s 10 years old, disappeared from his residence and was reported missing and ultimately found in a rural location in a farm field 3 miles or so outside of city limits from where he lived,” said Mortvedt, the assistant director at the DCI.

Mortvedt added the case remains active and that law enforcement examines any leads they do receive, including one they received in the last month. Investigators are also reexamining old tips and leads in the case.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Can drive started to raise funds for Xavior Harrelson headstone

A Mahaska County redemption center owner has started raising can donations to purchase a headstone for Xavior Harrelson.

www.kcrg.com

Can drive started to raise funds for Xavior Harrelson headstone​

A Mahaska County redemption center owner has started raising can donations to purchase a headstone for Xavior Harrelson.

“I don’t know him, but I have a place in my heart for him,” said Sherri Garrett, owner of Tri-county Redemption.

Garrett has been moving her trailer to several communities asking residents to bring their cans and bottles. So far, she said she had raised about $2,000.

“Every penny adds up, they all add up quickly,” said Garrett.

Investigators hoped it would also start bringing in new leads into what happened.


Garret, like so many in Iowa, wanted answers about what happened to Xavior Harrelson, but until then, she wanted to help ensure his final resting place had a permanent memorial.

“He didn’t deserve what he got,” said Garrett. “It’s sad, it’s very sad.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

This child's grave does not have a headstone???

I guess one could have been ordered and they are waiting on it. That does happen. I sadly know that.

I somehow doubt that's the reason in this case though.

There needs to be some JUSTICE here.

 

[Guess Who]

This child's grave does not have a headstone???

I guess one could have been ordered and they are waiting on it. That does happen. I sadly know that.

I somehow doubt that's the reason in this case though.

There needs to be some JUSTICE here.

who was going to pay for it? The mother is supposedly disabled and most likely on fixed income. They are not cheap at all. I see so many without headstones and the main reason is that nobody in the person's orbit can afford to pay for one.

 

[GrandmaBear]

who was going to pay for it? The mother is supposedly disabled and most likely on fixed income. They are not cheap at all. I see so many without headstones and the main reason is that nobody in the person's orbit can afford to pay for one.

Oh I know that about the mother. There is more I didn't say but held off on it. First is that I am surprised the community didn't step up, not that they should have to but many if not most do in such a situation or even a funeral home, etc. And then that led me to wonder if the mother won't allow it or something because otherwise why wouldn't they? I would think she'd have control over his gravesite. Who paid to bury him? I have no idea.

You can't honestly think with what my family has been through that I don't know the cost of burial, or a headstone? I know very well they aren't cheap with the number of people in my family we have buried. We know TOO well. However a decent one and even a very nice one is still a drop in the bucket for a group or community that comes together.

I'm sure there are graves without headstones but this is a case with a child VICTIM, not exactly just a privately known thing. I'm broke and I don't live there but I'd even send a few bucks if they gave an avenue to do so and I knew it wasn't going to the mother or some wrong place, etc.

Kudos to the business doing it collecting cans etc. which is what they do for a business. Still, I'm saddened that one business or a few, etc. didn't just come together and do it or don't now even that the word is out. Cynical as it may sound, it is great PR/advertising.

I'm just saddened by it. If this happened anywhere I lived and I knew there was no headstone, even though I am no leader nor want to be, I'd definitely be saying hey this community can step up.

We have had some very SPECIAL headstones made and I know the cost of those. It isn't an amount that would be hard to raise.

 

[Guess Who]

Oh I know that about the mother. There is more I didn't say but held off on it. First is that I am surprised the community didn't step up, not that they should have to but many if not most do in such a situation or even a funeral home, etc. And then that led me to wonder if the mother won't allow it or something because otherwise why wouldn't they? I would think she'd have control over his gravesite. Who paid to bury him? I have no idea.

You can't honestly think with what my family has been through that I don't know the cost of burial, or a headstone? I know very well they aren't cheap with the number of people in my family we have buried. We know TOO well. However a decent one and even a very nice one is still a drop in the bucket for a group or community that comes together.

I'm sure there are graves without headstones but this is a case with a child VICTIM, not exactly just a privately known thing. I'm broke and I don't live there but I'd even send a few bucks if they gave an avenue to do so and I knew it wasn't going to the mother or some wrong place, etc.

Kudos to the business doing it collecting cans etc. which is what they do for a business. Still, I'm saddened that one business or a few, etc. didn't just come together and do it or don't now even that the word is out. Cynical as it may sound, it is great PR/advertising.

I'm just saddened by it. If this happened anywhere I lived and I knew there was no headstone, even though I am no leader nor want to be, I'd definitely be saying hey this community can step up.

We have had some very SPECIAL headstones made and I know the cost of those. It isn't an amount that would be hard to raise.

Isn't that what they are doing is raising money for one?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Isn't that what they are doing is raising money for one?

Precisely.

Central Iowans use can drive to raise money to give Xavior Harrelson a headstone

People from across Central Iowa are sending in their cans and bottles to a Mahaska County redemption center to raise money for a headstone for Xavier Harrelson.

www.kcci.com

Garrett says she's spoken with a member of Harrelson's family who posted on a Facebook group about the need to raise an additional $3,000 for a headstone.


Since June, Garrett has left her trailer in different communities across Central Iowa so people can drop off cans and bottles.

Through word of mouth and Facebook, others dumpsters and trailers began showing up in different towns with "Cans for Xavior" posters on the side of them.

Garrett says people continuously show up to drop off cans and bottles, especially at the spot in Montezuma.


Garrett says she was sure on Friday they had more than $1,200 in cans and bottles. However, after Saturday's run, she believes they're closer than she expected at this time to their goal.

"All I want is to make sure he gets the headstone that his family wants," said Garrett.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well that's a lot different than the first take on it. It is to raise ADDITIONAL money for the headstone the family WANTS. Makes it sound like there is money for a headstone just not the one picked out. Doesn't sound like it was some case then of there IS NO money for a headstone or that family can't afford one. So they are helping raise money for a nicer one. Nothing wrong with that but a different picture than what it first came across like. Kudos to the ONE business owner for doing such after all of this time. I wouldn't go so far as to say the community of business owners or people with the bit raised. And it is several communities.

So it isn't like this was just where ONE business owner stepped up because it was awful he had NO headstone or no one cared... It is to finish paying for a headstone it sounds like that they want or so it sounds.

I don't see the community or business owners stepping up though, just this one and good for them. Raised a couple of thousand on a goal of 3K. Wow. That would take like one instant in most areas. Also disturbing that this is a way to raise awareness and bring in more leads for LE or they hope it does?? Huh? WHAT is LE doing???

Garrett has been moving her trailer to several communities asking residents to bring their cans and bottles. So far, she said she had raised about $2,000.

“Every penny adds up, they all add up quickly,” said Garrett.

Investigators hoped it would also start bringing in new leads into what happened.

I don't like this case and lack of justice. WHAT is going on in it?

When was he buried by the way? This seems long after the fact.

I don't think this case is getting the attention it deserves. Many cases lack a body and in this one they found him but no arrest.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fundraiser collects enough money to buy headstone for Xavior Harrelson

Harrelson is buried at a cemetery in Marshalltown but does not have a headstone.

www.kcci.com

Fundraiser collects enough money to buy headstone for Xavior Harrelson​

After last month's can redemption drive, a headstone has been ordered for Xavior Harrelson, fundraiser organizers confirm.

Organizers say they collected more than $2,000.

Harrelson is buried at a cemetery in Marshalltown but does not have a headstone.

There have been no arrests or suspects identified in Harrelson's death, and no cause of death has been released.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

No arrests 2 years after Xavior Harrelson’s remains found

Saturday marked a tragic milestone of an unsolved mystery in Iowa.

www.kcci.com

No arrests 2 years after Xavior Harrelson’s remains found​

Saturday marked two years since Xavior Harrelson's remains were found.

There have been no arrests or suspects identified and no cause of death has been released.

If you have any information in this case, contact the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office at 641-623-2107 or Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

How AMBER Alerts were not used in the Xavior Harrelson missing child case

We've told you about how authorities in Missouri handle missing child cases. See how AMBER Alerts were not used when Xavior Harrelson went missing in 2021.

ktvo.com

How AMBER Alerts were not used in the Xavior Harrelson missing child case
Recently, we've told you about how authorities in Missouri handle missing child cases, and the criteria needed to issue child abduction alerts, also known as AMBER Alerts.

In Iowa, the conversation over the use of the AMBER Alert system came to the forefront after the 2021 disappearance, and later the discovery of the remains of 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson in Montezuma, Iowa, just days before his eleventh birthday.

Since his disappearance, Harrelson's family wanted to see those AMBER Alert requirements change.

State officials said there would be no change, because the guidelines are federally mandated, and all of them must be met for an alert to be sent.

In Xavior's case, an alert was not issued because there was no evidence he was abducted or in serious danger.

Iowa Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse Director Medina Rahmanovic says the guidelines are clear.

"So the criteria is that law enforcement confirms that a child has been abducted...the child has been entered into a national system, which is NCIC, national Crime Information Center," Rahmanovic said. "The child is under the age of 18, law enforcement believes that circumstances surrounding the abduction indicates that the child is in serious bodily harm or death, and that there is enough descriptive information about the child abductor or the suspect vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will be beneficial in the case."

 

[GrandmaBear]

How AMBER Alerts were not used in the Xavior Harrelson missing child case

We've told you about how authorities in Missouri handle missing child cases. See how AMBER Alerts were not used when Xavior Harrelson went missing in 2021.

ktvo.com

How AMBER Alerts were not used in the Xavior Harrelson missing child case
Recently, we've told you about how authorities in Missouri handle missing child cases, and the criteria needed to issue child abduction alerts, also known as AMBER Alerts.

In Iowa, the conversation over the use of the AMBER Alert system came to the forefront after the 2021 disappearance, and later the discovery of the remains of 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson in Montezuma, Iowa, just days before his eleventh birthday.

Since his disappearance, Harrelson's family wanted to see those AMBER Alert requirements change.

State officials said there would be no change, because the guidelines are federally mandated, and all of them must be met for an alert to be sent.

In Xavior's case, an alert was not issued because there was no evidence he was abducted or in serious danger.

Iowa Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse Director Medina Rahmanovic says the guidelines are clear.

"So the criteria is that law enforcement confirms that a child has been abducted...the child has been entered into a national system, which is NCIC, national Crime Information Center," Rahmanovic said. "The child is under the age of 18, law enforcement believes that circumstances surrounding the abduction indicates that the child is in serious bodily harm or death, and that there is enough descriptive information about the child abductor or the suspect vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will be beneficial in the case."

Funny. Not. Other states are finding ways to get it out there or get around it..

IA I have always considered my second home.

Not sticking up for them on this one. DO it, find a WAY. Or RISK IT. It will take the f e d s years to come down on you and even then it won't be some indiivdual LE officer that pays. It is a missing CHILD. Jmo. Put the CHILD first. if anyone yells about that well then they are going to get yelled at back and exposed for being an uncaring or corrupt arsehole these days..

EXCUSES.

 

[Mel70]

Funny. Not. Other states are finding ways to get it out there or get around it..

IA I have always considered my second home.

Not sticking up for them on this one. DO it, find a WAY. Or RISK IT. It will take the f e d s years to come down on you and even then it won't be some indiivdual LE officer that pays. It is missing CHILD. Jmo.

EXCUSES.

Completely agree.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Completely agree.

Right? I edited it a bit and fixed my typos but this world is full of wimps who have never had to face anything hard or against the flow in their lives. We have a DEAD child here. Who went missing. I don't think the original Amber Alert proposal was to have all these ridiculous conditions when a child goes missing. In fact I KNOW it didn't. Like soft sentencing and other b.s. changes, it has taken us years to realize nope, now i takes a vehicle description, suspect descrption, clothing last seen in, etc. or cops have their hands tied.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Three years later: Investigators say they are 'very confident' Xavior Harrelson's case will be solved

10-year-old Xavior Harrelson was reported missing on May 27, 2021. A farmer found his body four months later.

www.kcci.com

Three years later: Investigators say they are 'very confident' Xavior Harrelson's case will be solved​

Three years after the disappearance of Xavior Harrelson, investigators say they are getting closer to solving the case.

"Xavior Harrelson is a name that everyone in the DCI is well aware of, and I can say without hesitation that I am very confident there is going to be a resolution in this case," Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Ryan Kedley said.

Kedley is the Iowa DCI agent overseeing the investigation. He says the case is far from cold, and investigators are still actively applying for search warrants and talking with persons of interest.

"In this case, we have a number of persons of interest that we are continuing to evaluate," Kedley said.

Investigators have never revealed a cause of death. Poweshiek County farmer Dustin Cummings discovered Harrelson's body four months after his disappearance. In his first interview since that traumatic discovery, Cummings tells KCCI he hopes to be a voice for the little boy he never knew.

"I'm just glad he is at least found. I hated that it was like that, but at least there is some closure," Cummings said.

Cummings discovered Harrelson's body in a farm field approximately three miles from his mobile home. Cummings was mowing when he noticed a shoe and some clothing.

"If it wouldn't have been for the clothing, the blue and black checkered whatever that was, pajama pants, I don't think ... I would have kept going," Cummings said.

The town of Montezuma still holds out hope the case will be solved.

Jacki Bolen, the mayor at the time Harrelson disappeared, still keeps the same orange ribbon tied to her business on the town square.

"Initially, when we hung these up, we thought we would leave them there until he was found, but I don't know, I kind of feel like I need to leave it there until justice is served," Bolen said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This boy needs justice.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Investigators discuss Xavior Harrelson case 3 years after he went missing

Investigators discuss Xavior Harrelson case 3 years after he went missing

www.kcrg.com

Investigators discuss Xavior Harrelson case 3 years after he went missing​

It’s been three years since then 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson disappeared from his Montezuma home.

Those who knew him and lived there are still feeling the impact of his death. However, investigators said the case was far from a cold case.

Faded orange ribbons still hang on poles and business doors in downtown Montezuma three years after Harrelson went missing from his home.


“Oftentimes in law enforcement, you’ll have cases that we as investigators don’t need a lot of motivation to continue working on, and this is one of them,” said DCI Special Agent Ryan Kedley.

Kedley has been the lead investigator of the case since the beginning. He said they were continuing to get new leads from the community and were actively applying for new warrants.

“In certain areas with the investigation, we have gotten pretty fortunate with the amount of information and evidence that we received,” he said. “With the talent and technologies that we have invested in this case, we feel confident.”

He believes that information, coupled with community support, and technology, will help bring this case to a close.

“It may not be tomorrow, it may not be the next day, but eventually, we will find a resolution,” said Kedley.

It was answers Bolen said the town wants to know.

“We still talk about Xavior, we still think about Xavior,” she said.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

'Our family isn't the same': The search for a killer continues 3 years after Xavior Harrelson's body found

A heartbreaking discovery was made in a farm field a few miles outside of town on Sept. 30, 2021.

www.kcci.com

'Our family isn't the same': The search for a killer continues 3 years after Xavior Harrelson's body found​

Monday marks three years since Xavior Harrelson's body was discovered in a farm field in Poweshiek County.

Harrelson went missing just before his 11th birthday.

Three years later, the search for his killer is still ongoing.

"We love him and miss Xavior every day. Our family isn't the same without him in it. He was kind, smart, funny, gentle and a good kid who didn't deserve this senseless act. Someone took him from us. I hope someday soon there will be justice for Xavior," said Michelle Harrelson, Xavior's aunt.


Three years later, no arrests have been made.

"In this case, we have a number of persons of interest that we are continuing to evaluate," Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Ryan Kedley said.

In May, Kedley told KCCI they are getting closer to solving the case.

"We are confident there is going to be a resolution in this case," Kedley added.

Xavior Harrelson's mother, Sarah Harrelson, is currently in the Polk County Jail. She was arrested in July for violating her probation in a drug case. Court records show she underwent a substance abuse evaluation on Sept. 9.