On January 5th, 1984, 2-year old Tanisha Johnson went missing from her mobile home in Austin, Texas. At the time she disappeared, she was playing outside alone on the swing set while her mother was inside their home cleaning. Minutes later, Tanisha's mother went to check on her to find that Tanisha was longer on the swing and she was nowhere in the area of their home. After an exhaustive search, no sign or trace of Tanisha has ever been found.

On April 2nd, 1986, 5-year old Ara Johnson also went missing from her mobile home in Big Sandy, Texas. It is believed that sometime after Ara's father went to check on her that morning around 2AM, someone entered the home and abducted her. Investigators strongly believe that whoever took Ara had some connection to the family or knew of their regular habits. Ara's parents along with another strong person of interest were questioned by police regrading Ara's disappearance. However, Ara's case remains unsolved and she has also never been found.

It has been over 35 years since Tanisha Watkins and Ara Johnson vanished from their Texas homes and never seen or heard from again. Could their abductions be crime of opportunity or was this more personal? How could two young girls just vanish from their homes and no trace of them ever discovered? Could the families of both have anything to do with their disappearances or were their abductors total strangers?

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Tanisha Watkins, please contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-0916 and if anyone has information regarding Ara Johnson, you are urged to contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 843-2541 or their local authorities.

Sources Used for Tanisha Watkins' Story:

Sources Used for Ara Johnson's Story:

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