Christmas is a time for families to celebrate, it has frequently been said over the years, which makes it an incredibly difficult time of the year for those who have lost one or more children. It is especially difficult for a parent if they do not know where their child is, or even if they are safe.

The mother of Shania Supanich described her Christmas as a nightmare. It was on 2 April 2004 that Shania, her 'baby', was taken from her in Aubern, Washington, USA. On that day Shania, who was five years old at the time, had been with her non-custodial father, Mark Supanich, and neither have been seen or heard of since.

Mark Supanich has a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence. It is assumed that he has absconded with his daughter and there are serious concerns for Shania's safety.

In April 2004 Mark Supanich owned a 1992 Kountrystar Numar motor home and it is possible that he and Shania are travelling around North America in this vehicle. Whilst it is believed that they could be in the Aubern area, or else where in the state of Washington, Mark has ties in the state of Michigan and it is a possibility that they could have travelled as far a field as Canada or Mexico.

Shania was born on 17 May 1997 and so she is six years of age at present. She is Caucasian, with blue eyes, 4'0" tall, and at the time of her disappearance she weighed 62 lbs. Shania has a gap between her front teeth and a birthmark on her upper right arm. When she was last seen Shania had red hair below her shoulders but it is believed to be possible that her father could have cut her hair very short and that he could even be making her pose as a young boy to prevent her from being recognised.

It is unlikely that she is attending any school, as Mark is a keen advocate of 'home schooling.' Therefore she probably has minimal contact with anyone other than her father.

Mark Supanich himself is forty six years of age. He is described as being 6'2" tall, weighs approximately 200 lbs, has blonde receding hair and blue eyes. Mark uses the alias 'Dwayne Supanich' and might be spelling his surname as Sapanich. He may be working as a roofer, in the construction industry, which is what he is most experienced as, if he is working at all. He is a keen hunter and outdoorsman.

Mark Supanich is potentially dangerous and so it is imperative that he is caught so that Shania can be safely returned to her mother. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Shania or Mark Supanich after 2 April 2004, please contact Aubern Police Department at 1-253-931-3080, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or contact myself at sclomax2004@yahoo.co.uk

S.C. Lomax
www.sclomax.co.uk