Karen, Jody's mom, explained in an interview that Jody had skipped school with a friend the day of her disappearance, which was not unlike her. Jody had previously gotten in trouble for skipping school, and for a prior run-in with a security guard, and was assigned deputy juvenile probation officer.

According to Karen Stratton, Jody had spent the afternoon and evening at her friend, Melissa's home in Kansas City.

At some point that evening, the two had made the 14-minute walk to Jody's boyfriend's house. According to Karen Stratton, Jody had arguments with her friends and boyfriend at some point that day when she wanted to go to an unknown location with them, and they declined.

Boyfriend's House

At some point, Jody and Melissa leave the boyfriend's home and walk back to Melissa's house.

After spending some time back at Melissa's friend's house, Jody called her mother at around 10PM to ask her for a ride home. Her mother did not have access to a car at the time, Jody explained that she would find another ride to their home on the 6800 block of east Topping Street.

Boyfriend's House

Shortly after, Jody leaves Melissa's house on foot, and was seen for the last time walking northbound on Winchester Avenue from 14th street. Jody did not take any extra clothing or money with her when she disappeared. Melissa later told investigators that she believed that Jody was going to walk back to her boyfriend's house, but later told them that she believed Jody was going to walk home.

Last Sighting Of Jody

The next morning, when Karen realizes that Jody did not make it home the night before, she contacts Jody's DJO, or her Deputy Juvenile Officer, to report her missing. The DJO explains to her mother that Jody could've been upset about something, possibly trouble in her family life, and suggested that they give her the weekend to cool off.

These warrants listed Jody as an 'endangered juvenile who should be taken into police custody if found'. Even though they were filed, the juvenile courts failed to notify police about Jody's disappearance.

Two years after her daughter's disappearance, Karen realizes during a conversation with the caseworker that her daughter had never been reported as missing to the police. This realization and conversation did not take place until after the first warrant was cancelled by the courts in July of 1986. Once this realization is made, the investigation into Jody's disappearance begins.

The letter received by the DJO cannot be confirmed to be from Jody. The letter explains that Jody is okay and that 'maybe someday she'll say why she left'. The letter has been compared to a previous letter than Jody sent to her DJO.

Karen Stratton, Jody's mother, began receiving threatening phone calls in 1993, lasting two years. These calls would includes demands for money in exchange for Jody, and in one case "If we don't get the money, your daughter will be sent to you in pieces". She was sure to record all of these phone calls to send to police, who were able to trace them back to a payphone in the Kansas City area, and transcripts were made, but the caller was never identified.