Trey has since been located and is safe. This page preserves the missing-person information as it was published during the active search, for anyone who followed the case during that period. It is no longer being updated. For current information, please see the Case Update page.
| Full Name | Trey Evan Barnhart |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 17, 2008 |
| Age | 18 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Weight | 160 lbs (72.7 kg) |
| Hair | Short, brown, cropped close |
| Eyes | Brown, almond-shaped |
| Build | Short, stocky |
| Distinguishing | Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) facial features; bent pinky fingers (bilateral clinodactyly) |
| Last Address | 904 North Main St, Carrollton, MO 64633 |
| Last School Attendance | January 14, 2026 — Carrollton High School |
| Last Contact with Father | January 11, 2026 (telephone) |
Trey was believed to be in the company of his mother. She was his legal guardian prior to his 18th birthday on January 17, 2026.
| Full Name | Janelle Wanda Murphy Janelle Wanda Carter (MAIDEN NAME 1966-1990) Janelle Wanda Barnhart (FORMER MARRIED NAME 1990-2014) |
|---|---|
| Approximate Age | 60 years old (born approx. 1966) |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 5 in |
| Build | Heavyset |
| Hair | Gray, usually worn up in a bun or ponytail |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Glasses | Prescription glasses with light-colored frames |
| Distinguishing | Bent pinky fingers on both hands (same bilateral clinodactyly trait as Trey) |
| Last Known Address | 904 North Main St, Carrollton, MO 64633 |
Two vehicles were associated with Trey and Janelle during the active search.
| Vehicle | 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness |
|---|---|
| Color | White w/ dark gray lower trim & black accents |
| License Plate | Missouri XJ6-V4Z |
| Details | Roof rack with crossbars; all-terrain tires |
| Vehicle | 1999 Winnebago Itasca Suncruiser Class A |
|---|---|
| Color | White & sage green two-tone |
| Length | Approximately 35 feet |
| Markings | "ITASCA" on front & rear; "Suncruiser" script on sides; rear roof ladder; rear window |
Trey Evan Barnhart is the son of Brad Barnhart of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Janelle Murphy of Carrollton, Missouri. A court-ordered joint physical custody arrangement was in place at the time Trey went missing. His father held court-ordered visitation rights, telephone access rights, and joint medical decision-making rights. Guardianship proceedings were pending in Carroll County, Missouri.
Routine and structure are especially important for individuals with Down syndrome, and school was a central part of Trey's life. Trey and his sister were previously homeschooled until a March 2018 court ruling found it was in their best interest to attend public school, citing below-average academic testing and a psychological evaluator's recommendation, and ordered their enrollment beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. Trey subsequently attended Carrollton High School under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and participated in a vocational placement working weekdays at a local bank, and by all accounts Trey enjoyed both.
In January 2026, halfway through his sophomore year, Trey was abruptly withdrawn from school without notice to his father or siblings, ending both his education and his job. He did not return to school or any comparable program, and his father and siblings were denied information about his circumstances for an extended period.
All information below is documented and verifiable through school records, medical records, and law enforcement reports.
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Jan 5, 2026Last physical contact between Trey and his father. End of court-ordered holiday visitation.
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Jan 7, 2026Last documented medical appointment at Hedrick Family Care, Chillicothe, MO. Physician issued psychiatric referral to North Central Missouri Mental Health for evaluation of anxiety and depression. Referral was never followed through.
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Jan 11, 2026Last telephone contact between Trey and his father. Trey sounded very sad. Call was abruptly disconnected.
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Jan 14, 2026Last confirmed attendance was in the 10th grade at Carrollton High School. Trey's last day attending his two-hour daily vocational job at the BTC Bank was also recorded. He accumulated six unexcused absences in January 2026.
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Jan 15, 20268:56 AM: Janelle sent OFW message stating "Trey is not feeling well today. He will not be in school."
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Jan 16, 20269:09 AM: Janelle sent OFW message stating "Trey will be absent from school today." 7:17 PM: Janelle sent OFW message stating "My attorney has advised me not to bring Trey to this weekend's exchange," denying the scheduled 7:00 PM exchange.
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Jan 16–19, 2026First court-ordered visitation weekend denied by Janelle Murphy. All telephone communication cut off. Trey's 18th birthday on January 17 was denied to his father and siblings.
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Jan 20–22, 2026Three consecutive unexcused school absences, each verified by parent. No notification was provided to Trey's father for any of these absences, despite brief notices having been sent for the January 15 and 16 absences (see above).
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Jan 23, 2026Virtual instruction day due to winter weather. Janelle reported that Trey was unable to operate the Zoom platform required for remote attendance, and he did not participate.
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Jan 23–25, 2026Second consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied. Carrollton Police Department Chief Shannon Case conducted a wellness check and found 904 North Main Street abandoned — no vehicles, no footprints in snow, no signs of occupancy. Missouri Adult Abuse & Neglect Hotline report filed.
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Jan 27, 2026Following a father-requested wellness check, Janelle sent an OFW message stating "Trey is safe and sound. I spoke with Carrollton PD about your call. They have spoken with Trey as well." Father replied asking Trey's current location and requesting a call.
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Jan 28, 2026Trey absent from school with no call-in or notification provided, unlike earlier January absences for which brief notices had been sent.
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Jan 29, 20267:45 AM: Janelle emailed Carrollton R-VII School District staff stating "We have left the state of Missouri. Trey will no longer be attending Carrollton Public Schools or receiving related services." 12:19 PM: Janelle sent OFW message to father stating "As I said, Trey is fine. He does not wish to speak with you at this time," two days after claiming Trey was safe and had spoken with local police.
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Feb 6–8, 2026Third consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Feb 12–16, 2026Fourth consecutive court-ordered visitation denied. Extended break disrupted.
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Feb 20–22, 2026Fifth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Mar 5, 2026Family Access Motion filed in Jackson County, Missouri. Trey has had no verified contact with his father, siblings, or medical providers since mid-January 2026.
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Mar 6–8, 2026Sixth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied. Family gathering disrupted.
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Mar 13–15, 2026Seventh consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Mar 27–29, 2026Eighth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Apr 10–12, 2026Ninth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Apr 17–19, 2026Tenth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Apr 24–26, 2026Eleventh consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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Apr 30, 2026First scheduled hearing for Family Access motion, Mother was absent with service to Trey failed.
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May 1–3, 2026Twelfth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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May 8–10, 2026Thirteenth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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May 15–22, 2026Fourteenth consecutive court-ordered visitation weekend denied.
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June 22, 2026Motion filed for Guardianship.
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July 7, 2026Service attempted for Trey Barnhart for Guardianship Case at suspected Winnebago County, Illinois residence.
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Aug 10, 2026Second scheduled hearing for Family Access motion, Mother was absent with service to Trey failed.
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Aug 20, 2026Photographic evidence received of vehicles belonging to Trey's mother, Janelle Murphy, at a Winnebago County, Illinois residence. Law enforcement contacted.
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Late Aug 2026Trey was located and is safe. Please see the Case Update page for current information.