Daniel Yuen
| Daniel Yuen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Daniel Ted Yuen August 20, 1987 Edison, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Disappeared | February 8, 2004 (aged 16) Running Springs, California, U.S. |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | Lisa and Wayne Yuen |
The disappearance of Daniel Ted Yuen occurred on February 8, 2004, when the 16-year-old from Edison, New Jersey, vanished from the CEDU School, a therapeutic boarding school in Running Springs, California. Despite reported sightings and ongoing efforts by his family and investigators, Yuen's whereabouts remain unknown as of 2025.
Background
Daniel Yuen was born on August 20, 1987, in Edison, New Jersey.[1] During his second year of high school, he experienced a significant decline in mental health, reportedly triggered by a breakup with his girlfriend.[2] His parents sought psychiatric help, and following professional recommendations, enrolled him in the CEDU School in California in late January 2004.[3]
Upon arrival, Daniel expressed that he did not want to stay at the school. According to his parents, school officials then asked them to step into another room. When they returned, staff informed them that Daniel had changed his mind and agreed to remain at the school.[4]
Wayne and Lisa Yuen stated that they requested the opportunity to say goodbye to their son, but school staff advised against it, suggesting that it would be emotionally difficult for Daniel and recommending that they leave without a farewell.[4]
The school allowed one phone call home every week and Yuen expressed dissatisfaction with the school environment, indicating to his parents that he was unhappy and fearful of other students, and mentioned plans to run away.[5] During the conversation the line was disconnected.[4] He had a prior history of running away from home in New Jersey.
Disappearance
On the morning of February 8, 2004, Yuen left the CEDU campus around 10:45 am, stating he was going to purchase cigarettes.[1][3] He did not take any personal belongings or identification with him and failed to return according to Bob Lowery who works for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.[4] The school notified his parents, who traveled to California to assist in the search.
Investigation
Initial investigations classified Yuen as a runaway. A private investigator named Keith Raymond who used to work for CEDU was hired by the family and reported possible sightings in San Diego's Hilltop Community Park, where scent-tracking dogs indicated Yuen's presence.[6][3] However, searches yielded no conclusive evidence. In December 2018, the investigator received an anonymous call suggesting Yuen was alive and residing in the area but did not wish to be found. Witnesses reported seeing a man resembling Yuen accompanied by a woman and child, but these leads were unconfirmed.[3]
CEDU School closure
The CEDU School faced numerous allegations of abuse and mismanagement, leading to lawsuits from families, including the Yuens. In 2005, the institution filed for bankruptcy and closed all its campuses.[5][6]
Current status
As of June 2025, Daniel Yuen remains missing. His case is listed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Doe Network.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Missing Person / NamUs #MP6839 | NamUs". namus.nij.ojp.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ↑ Barcella, Laura (March 11, 2019). "After Teen Son Went Missing From Calif. Boarding School in 2004, Mom Says 'Part of Me Is Missing'". People Magazine. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
Daniel Yuen, then 16, had always been a happy kid and a beloved part of his tight-knit New Jersey family. But in 2004, the high school junior fell into a deep depression his mom believes was triggered by a breakup with his girlfriend.
Unknown parameter|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Shapiro, Emily (January 19, 2019). "New clues emerge 15 years after teen's disappearance: 'We just want to know he's safe,' family says". ABC News (United States). Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pezzetti, Leah (April 26, 2021). "Family still looking for teen who vanished from CA school in 2004". ABC News (United States). Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hastings, Deborah (June 9, 2020). "'The Lost Kids' Podcast Explores Missing Teen Daniel Yeun and 'Tough Love' Boarding Schools". Inside Edition. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Safran, David (March 1, 2023). "Suspect No. 1: Inside Daniel Yuen's Missing Person Case". LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles. Archived from the original on February 5, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
In March 2019, the hopeful Yuens flew to San Diego to meet their now-rehired PI— but Raymond didn’t show up to meet them, insisting he was too sickly.
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External links
- Daniel Ted Yuen – The Charley Project
- Two Decades Without Daniel – NCMEC
- 4984DMCA – Doe Network
- Suspect No. 1: Inside Daniel Yuen's Missing Person Case – Los Angeles Magazine
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