Dateline Missing in America - Ep. 17: The Night Shy Shy Disappeared
Released on October 1, 2024 by Dateline Originals, NBC News
Introduction
In this gripping episode of Dateline Missing in America, NBC News delves deep into the mysterious disappearance of Shy Shy Pate, an eight-year-old girl from Unadilla, Georgia, who vanished on September 4, 1998. Host Josh Mankiewicz guides listeners through the harrowing journey of Shy Shy's family, the exhaustive search efforts, and the lingering questions that have remained unresolved for over a quarter-century.
Background: Shy Shy Pate and Her Family
Shy Shy Pate was a vibrant eight-year-old girl, full of life and loved by her community. She lived in the small town of Unadilla, Georgia, with her mother, Veronica Pate, and her siblings. Shy Shy was known for her bright smile and lively spirit, despite battling chronic asthma and kidney disease which often kept her out of school. Veronica describes her daughter as "a happy child who had a lot of fans and she loved them back" (00:56).
Notable Quote:
"Everybody loved her. She loved the school. She loved her pediatrician because she took good care of her."
— Veronica Pate (03:38)
The Night of Disappearance
On a hot and muggy Friday night, Shy Shy was set to attend a local high school football game with her sister, Laswanda Hickey. Laswanda, a 17-year-old involved in junior ROTC and the color guard, had planned to bring Shy Shy to the game. However, Laswanda decided to take a nap before the event. Before dozing off, she jokingly told Shy Shy she wouldn't be accompanying her to the game, unaware of the impending tragedy.
At approximately 6:00 PM, as Laswanda was refueling the car, she noticed Shy Shy on a neighbor's front porch. Attempting to flag her down, Laswanda continued driving without stopping. Upon returning to pick her up, she was informed that Shy Shy had walked away up the street. Despite searching the vicinity, Laswanda couldn't locate her sister, prompting immediate concern.
Notable Quote:
"I had to be at the game by 7:30. And so she said, well, it's fine, you know, she's probably at somebody's house, a friend's house, and we'll get her when we come back."
— Laswanda Hickey (06:12)
Initial Search and Police Response
Veronica Pate arrived home around 7:45 PM, only to find Shy Shy missing. Initially believing her daughter was at a friend's house, Veronica began making frantic phone calls. When Shy Shy failed to appear after Laswanda returned from the game, the severity of the situation became apparent.
Unfortunately, Veronica recounts a troubling encounter with the police:
"They said we have to wait 24 hours."
— Veronica Pate (07:27)
Despite Shy Shy being a young child, the local police department delayed entering her name into the missing person's database, significantly hindering the chances of a timely rescue.
Investigator Randy Lamberth highlights the critical delay:
"So you lost a lot of time right there."
— Randy Lamberth (10:02)
Exhaustive Search Efforts and Leading Suspects
With limited initial police involvement, Shy Shy's family and neighbors took it upon themselves to search the dark streets of Unadilla. The community came together, canvassing homes and scouring the neighborhood, but Shy Shy remained missing as day turned to dawn.
Investigations revealed that Shy Shy was last seen near the intersection of Proper Avenue and West Street, a notoriously dangerous area adjacent to a local nightclub known as Roxy's. Despite extensive aerial and ground searches spanning a ten-mile radius, no trace was found.
One significant suspect emerged in Quentin Kendrick, a neighbor with a dark past. In 2002, Kendrick pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape and kidnapping, unrelated to Shy Shy's case. Although he was among the last to see Shy Shy, DNA tests from an abandoned well near his property did not link him to her disappearance.
Notable Quote:
"I think Veronica does feel some guilt about this, which I think she absolutely should not feel."
— Randy Lamberth (30:15)
The Family's Ordeal and Community Impact
The disappearance had a profound impact on Shy Shy's family. Veronica moved out of the neighborhood in 2008, seeking a fresh start away from the haunting memories. Her sister, Laswanda, carried the weight of guilt, feeling responsible for not stopping to take Shy Shy with her that night.
Veronica shared her relentless hope:
"I believe in my heart that I will [see Shy again]."
— Veronica Pate (32:07)
Community events, such as a 5k walk organized by Veronica's sister Rotondo Freeman in 2016, aimed to keep Shy Shy's story in the public eye and support other missing children cases.
Recent Developments: A Mysterious Phone Call
In January 2012, a breakthrough seemingly appeared when a tipster pointed investigators to photos of a young woman on Facebook believed to be Shy Shy. However, upon investigation, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity, reinforcing the family's enduring hope amidst ongoing uncertainty.
The most startling development occurred in 2022 when Veronica received a phone call from a woman in Missouri claiming to be Shy Shy. The caller stated that Shy Shy had been abducted, forced to use another name, and had suffered abuse from her abductor's family. Despite the emotional impact this had on Veronica, DNA tests confirmed the woman's identity was not Shy Shy.
Notable Quote:
"She said, if we never see each other again, I just want you to know that I ain't dead. And she said, and I just want to ease the pain that's in your heart."
— Veronica Pate (26:51)
Ongoing Hope and Community Awareness
Despite the setbacks, Veronica and Laswanda continue to hold onto hope. They participate in community events, maintain an active presence on social media to keep Shy Shy's image in public view, and advocate for greater awareness and resources for missing children cases.
Natalie Wilson from the Black and Missing Foundation emphasizes the prevalence of scams targeting missing persons families:
"We are seeing an increase or an uptick in individuals or, I'm assuming organizations that are taking advantage of families, you know, reaching out to them, saying, I know where your loved one is."
— Natalie Wilson (29:15)
Wilson urges families to remain vigilant and rely on official channels when seeking information.
Conclusion
Shy Shy Pate's disappearance remains one of Unadilla's most haunting mysteries. Over 25 years have passed, and while investigative efforts have intensified, the truth about that fateful night remains elusive. Veronica Pate's unwavering hope serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring pain families endure when a loved one goes missing.
Listeners are encouraged to view age-progressed photos of Shy Shy and provide any information that could aid in solving this decades-old case.
Call to Action: If you have any information about Shy Shy Pate’s disappearance, please contact the Dooley County Sheriff's Office at 229-645-0920 or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 478-987-4545. Visit datelinemissinginamerica.com for more details and to submit cases for future episodes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Veronica Pate:
"It's a storm that never stopped storming in your life." (01:32)
"I believe in my heart that I will [see Shy again]." (32:07) -
Randy Lamberth:
"Because even they cooperated with deputies looking for shy shy." (12:00)
"That to me says, do you think maybe this is close enough for you to either make an arrest or maybe learn where she is?" (17:53) -
Laswanda Hickey:
"Shy, if she's listening or if she hears this story, I would want her to know and understand that we have. We had no idea where to go. And we still don't. We still love her. We miss her tremendously. And we never gave up hope." (32:29)
Credits
Produced by Kate Vidic with audio editing by Brian Drew, associate production by Keanu Reed, and senior production by Bradley Davis. Executive production by Paul Ryan and Liz Cole from NBC News. Special thanks to Bob Mallory for audio sound mixing and Bryson Barnes, head of audio production.
This summary is intended for informational purposes and reflects the content of the podcast episode "The Night Shy Shy Disappeared" from Dateline Originals.