The disappearance of Paul “Buddy” Jepson Jr. remains one of Vermont’s most enduring missing child cases. On October 12, 1950, the eight-year-old vanished near Bennington while accompanying his mother during routine farm work. Despite immediate search efforts and widespread publicity, no confirmed trace of him was ever found.
Over time, the case became linked to a series of unexplained disappearances in southwestern Vermont that later became known as the “Bennington Triangle.”
Background
Paul Criston “Buddy” Jepson was born in 1942 and lived with his family near Bennington, Vermont. Contemporary reports described him as a child with developmental disabilities or special needs.
His family worked around a county dump outside Bennington, where they also kept pigs. The area consisted of rough terrain, wooded sections, roads, and open dumping grounds, creating a challenging environment for any search operation.
The Disappearance
On October 12, 1950, Paul's mother drove him to the dump while she completed chores involving the family's pigs. According to newspaper accounts, she left him sitting in the family truck while she attended to the animals nearby.
The absence reportedly lasted less than an hour. When she returned, Paul was gone.
Searchers immediately focused on the dump grounds and the surrounding woods. Because of Paul's young age and developmental condition, authorities feared he may have wandered away and become lost.
However, investigators quickly encountered a puzzling development. Bloodhounds reportedly followed Paul's scent away from the dump area and toward a nearby roadway. The scent trail ended abruptly at an intersection, leaving investigators uncertain whether he had continued on foot or entered a vehicle.
Search Efforts
A significant search operation was launched shortly after the disappearance was reported.
Local law enforcement officers, volunteers, and tracking dogs combed the area surrounding the dump and nearby forests. Searchers examined wooded terrain, roads, and fields in an effort to locate the missing child.
Heavy rain complicated the operation. Reports indicated that weather conditions may have interfered with scent-tracking efforts and destroyed potential evidence.
Despite the extensive search, no confirmed trace of Paul was discovered.
Investigation
Investigators explored several possibilities.
One theory was that Paul had wandered into the woods and succumbed to the elements or had become hidden in terrain overlooked during the search. His father reportedly suggested that the child's clothing blended with the autumn landscape, potentially making him difficult to spot.
Another possibility considered by investigators involved foul play. The abrupt ending of the bloodhound trail near a roadway led some to speculate that Paul may have entered a vehicle, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
Paul's father also reportedly suggested the possibility that a motorist may have accidentally struck the child and removed him from the scene in panic. No evidence was ever uncovered to substantiate this scenario.
No arrests were made, and no definitive suspect was publicly identified.
Theories and Questions
Possible Accident or Exposure
Given Paul's age and the rural environment surrounding the dump, some investigators believed he may have wandered away and become lost. Dense woods, rough terrain, and adverse weather conditions complicated search efforts.
However, the complete lack of physical evidence has made this explanation difficult to confirm.
Possible Abduction
The bloodhound trail reportedly ending near a road has fueled speculation that Paul may have entered a vehicle. Some observers believe this could indicate an abduction.
No evidence has publicly emerged linking any individual to such a scenario.
Connection to the Bennington Triangle
Paul's disappearance is frequently discussed alongside several other unsolved disappearances that occurred in southwestern Vermont between 1945 and 1950. These cases later became associated with the term “Bennington Triangle,” popularised by author Joseph A. Citro.
While the geographical proximity and timing of the cases have drawn public interest, investigators never established a proven connection between Paul's disappearance and the other missing persons cases.
The Bennington Triangle remains a cultural and folkloric concept rather than a verified law-enforcement theory.
Current Status
More than seven decades after Paul Jepson disappeared, his case remains unsolved.
No remains have been located, and no conclusive evidence has emerged to explain what happened on October 12, 1950. The disappearance continues to be referenced in discussions of Vermont cold cases and missing persons investigations.