Episode 16- Five Years of Silence: The Disappearance of Hayden Manis
In his heartbreaking episode, we explore the mysterious and deeply troubling disappearance of Hayden Manis, a young boy from Muncie, Indiana. Though Hayden was officially reported missing in late 2024, the shocking truth soon emerged-he had not been seen by his family for over five years.
Hayden was just 4 years old when he vanished while in the custody of his father, Dustin Manis. His early years were marked by instability, as both of his parents struggled with substance abuse and ultimately lost custody. During that time, Hayden was cared for by his grandfather, who provided a more stable environment.
In time, Dustin regained custody of Hayden, but the little boy continued to have regular contact with his grandfather and other extended family members. That contact suddenly stopped in December 2019. Without explanation, Hayden seemed to vanish. Months turned into years, and still, no one saw or heard from him.
It wasn’t until September 2024 that questions about Hayden’s whereabouts finally surfaced-revealing a five year gap during which no one outside of his father’s home had laid eyes on him.
How did a young child disappear so completely-without anyone raising the alarm for years? This episode examines the painful gaps int he system, the silence that allowed Hayden to slip through the cracks, and the ongoing search for justice and closure.
If you have any information on the disappearance of Hayden Manis, please contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana at 765-747-7885 or CDPO Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division at 765-747-7881.
The information presented in this episode is from sources from the most reliable accounts available on the web, including information from an article on The Cold Cases:
https://www.thecoldcases.com/p/the-cold-case-of-hayden-manis-the?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
An article from News Break:
https://www.newsbreak.com/cafemom-291109745/3796303776836-family-discovers-9-year-old-boy-has-been-missing-for-five-years-police-now-fear-he-s-dead
An article on WTHR13 News:
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/hayden-manis-missing-boy-son-family-delaware-county-muncie-indiana-prosecutor-eric-hoffman-lost-dead-child-gary-dustin-heroin-drugs-addiction-overdose/531-f0e7e0df-866d-4f16-adf9-4b1f437aa660
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Website:
https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/2031087/1
A Facebook group discussion on Hayden:
Photos include: Dustin Manis, Hayden’s father with Hayden and other photos of Hayden.
