Twenty-five days.
That’s how long seven children—from a 1-year-old baby to a 12-year-old child—have been missing from Indianapolis, Indiana. And yet, outside of a few online posts and official listings, their story has barely reached the public eye.
No major headlines.
No national coverage.
No widespread urgency.
And that is exactly why this needs to change—right now.
On February 23, 2026, seven children—all sharing the last name Butler—were officially reported missing. Their names are Aubrielle (8), Nikola (12), Earthum (5), Orion (6), Azrael (1), Polaris (2), and Joseph (10). Seven young lives, all gone on the same day.
Investigators believe the children may be with 29-year-old Makala Pendley, who is also listed as a missing person under the same date. Both Pendley and the children are actively being sought by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).
But here’s what makes this situation even more alarming:
It has been nearly a month—and most people still don’t know.
Think about the reality of this case.
A 1-year-old baby.
A 2-year-old toddler.
Five other children, all under the age of 12.
Twenty-five days without confirmed updates.
Twenty-five days of uncertainty.
Twenty-five days where every hour matters.
Cases involving multiple missing children are rare—and when they do happen, they usually trigger immediate national attention. But in this case, that attention has been shockingly limited.
And that raises a difficult question:
Why isn’t everyone talking about this?
The children are officially listed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) under case number 2078855, and Indiana maintains a public missing persons bulletin through the State Police clearinghouse. Makala Pendley is also listed in the system, with NCIC number M188827807.
The case is active.
The search is ongoing.
But awareness—the one factor that can mobilize communities and generate leads—is still not where it needs to be.
And in cases like this, awareness can be everything.
Indianapolis is a major city with connections to surrounding regions, highways, and neighboring states. Movement across state lines is possible, and with each passing day, the search area becomes more complex.
That’s why time is not just important—it’s critical.
The longer a case goes without widespread visibility, the harder it becomes to track movements, identify sightings, and bring those missing home safely.
For these children, time has already stretched far too long.
Behind the details, behind the case numbers, behind the reports—there are real lives.
A baby who is just beginning to walk.
A toddler who should be learning to speak.
Children who should be in school, playing, growing, living normal lives.
Instead, they are missing.
And their absence should be impossible to ignore.
For their family, every day is a wait filled with questions.
Where are they?
Are they safe?
Will they come home?
These are questions no family should have to ask for this long.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to act immediately. If you have seen any of these children or Makala Pendley, call 911 right away. You can also contact the IMPD Missing Persons Unit at (317) 327-3811, or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477. The NCMEC hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-843-5678.
Even the smallest detail could make a difference.
But beyond tips and calls, there is something else that matters just as much:
Visibility.
Because when a case is seen, it has a chance.
When it is shared, it spreads.
When people talk about it, it stays alive.
Right now, these seven children need that visibility more than ever.
This is not just an Indianapolis issue.
This is not just an Indiana case.
This is about seven children—seven young lives—who deserve to be found, protected, and brought home.
And it should matter to everyone.
Because sometimes, the difference between being found and being forgotten comes down to how many people are paying attention.
Seven children.
Twenty-five days.
And still, not enough awareness.
That needs to change—starting now. 💔
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