ON THIS DAY: The Disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker

Today, we remember Jaliek Rainwalker, the young boy who vanished under suspicious circumstances in upstate New York in 2007.

Jaliek, we are still searching for you. We will not give up. We will never forget.

The disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker is one of New York State’s most haunting and unresolved missing child cases.

Jaliek was 12 years old when he vanished on the night of November 1, 2007, from Greenwich, New York, a small town in Washington County. He had been staying with his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, at a home on Hill Street after spending time in respite care due to behavioral struggles. Kerr later told police that Jaliek was asleep when he went to bed, but the next morning, Jaliek was gone. Kerr claimed to have found a note that read, “Dear everybody, I’m sorry for everything. I won’t be a bother anymore. Goodbye, Jaliek.”

From the start, investigators found the circumstances suspicious. Jaliek’s belongings — including his duffel bag and clothes — were still at the house, and there was no confirmed sighting of him after that night. Despite searches by ground, water, and air, no physical evidence of Jaliek has ever been found.

Over time, suspicion grew around Stephen Kerr and Jaliek’s adoptive mother, Jocelyn McDonald. They did not cooperate fully with the police and refused polygraph tests. Detectives have stated publicly that they believe Jaliek met with foul play and that his disappearance was not a runaway situation, despite the note left behind. Kerr has been named a person of interest in the case, though no charges have ever been filed.

Jaliek Rainwalker was described as bright, imaginative, and kind, with a big smile and a love of animals and chess. He was biracial (Black and white), with light brown skin, green eyes, and curly hair, and he was about 5 feet tall when he went missing.

The Greenwich Police Department and the New York State Police continue to classify the case as active and open.

If you have any information on Jaliek Rainwalker’s disappearance, please contact the Greenwich Police Department at (518) 692–9332, or the New York State Police at (518) 783–3211. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Capital Region Crime Stoppers.