He suggested Asha might have gone over to his mother's house across the street; when Iquilla called there, her sister-in-law said Asha was not there. Around 8 p.m. that night, both children went to bed in the room they shared. Investigators heard from two people who said they saw a girl walking along N.C. 18 around 4 a.m. One person said when they went back to check on her, the child disappeared into the woods. In the early morning hours of February 14, 2000, for reasons unknown, she packed her bookbag, left her family home north of the city and began walking along nearby North Carolina Highway 18 despite heavy rain and wind. He circled three times and saw Degree run into the woods by the roadside and disappear. "She was scared to death of dogs," she recalled years later. “We are definitely still actively investigating the case,” said Shelly Lynch, with FBI Charlotte. "I know if you ask them they will say it's not racial. He added that they also saw her at the same place, heading the same direction. Throughout the years investigators found clues, including her backpack with a t-shirt and book inside of it. [22] To date, it is the last evidence found in the case. They were a religious family and Asha never missed her weekly Bible study at church. After all these years, family and law enforcement still don’t know what happened to her. On the morning of February 14, an important day since it was not only Valentine's Day but also the Degrees' wedding anniversary,[13] this involved drawing a bath for them because they had not been able to take one the night before due to the power outage. The #FBI, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, & @SBI1937 continue to search for clues to #FindAsha. And the case would only get more confusing as her belongings start to pop up along that same highway, spaced out over … With days before the high school football season kicks off, there is a continued push to change the current order only allowing 100 spectators at outdoor high school athletic events. “We’ve done everything in our power to find our child and bring her home,” Iquilla Degree, Asha’s mother, told WBTV. On February 14th, 2000, Asha Degree's parents awoke to find their nine year old daughter missing. Edit source History Talk (0) Share . [24] They host an annual walk to raise awareness and money to fund their search. Asha’s mom explained, “I never suspected my husband or my son. Her family hosts an annual walk from their home to the billboard to draw attention to the case. She was allegedly spotted by several witnesses, one of whom approached her in their car out of concern. By day's end, all that had been found was a mitten, which Iquilla Degree said did not belong to her daughter, noting that no winter clothing had been taken from the house. Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon broke the story in 2000 and recently sat down with Asha’s mother, Iquilla Degree. The children let themselves in after school,[5] where their parents expected that they would either be doing their homework or finished with it by the time they returned. Her parents were both extremely hardworking to provide the very best for their family. Not ever, never ever.” Although possible, it’s highly improbable that Asha was murdered by a family member. 1.3 miles later, and in temperatures barely above freezing, she was spotted by a passing motorist, bu… ", "Vanished: Tips on Asha Degree's Disappearance Roll In Even 10 Years Later", "Finding Asha: Leads still pouring in 18 years after child vanished", "Girl's disappearance baffles investigators", "SBI Search for Possible Remains of Asha Degree", "Sheriff confirms items belonged to missing girl", "FBI Offering Reward of Up to $25,000 in Asha Degree Disappearance", "$45,000 reward for info in disappearance of Shelby girl missing 15 years", "FBI releases new details in 2000 disappearance of Asha Degree", "FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team Joins Unsolved Missing Girl Investigation", "Investigators Seek Public Assistance in Unsolved Missing Girl Investigation", "Book, band T-shirt are new clues to NC girl's disappearance in 2000, detective says", "Authorities release new photos in case of 'Shelby's sweetheart' who vanished 18 years ago", National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Disappearance_of_Asha_Degree&oldid=1007435458, February 2000 events in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 February 2021, at 03:15. "[E]very time you turned on the TV there was some pedophile who had lured somebody's child away, via the Internet," Iquilla recalled in a 2013 Jet interview. Copyright 2021 WBTV. [3] The Degrees raised both children in their house on Oakcrest Drive in a residential subdivision amidst a generally rural area north of Shelby, North Carolina, on the western edge of the Charlotte metropolitan area. In the days of searching following her disappearance, Police discovered several “This is worse than death because, at least with death, you have closure,” Iquilla Degree said. Also, Asha’s parents have worked tirelessly to find her, seem genuinely distraught, and have remained in the family home for decades on the off chance that Asha might come home. Another expert, Ben Ermini of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, noted that most children who run away are at least 12. [2][19][20][21] The worker who found it said the bookbag contained Asha's name and phone number. We are actively investigating, following leads, generating new ones, conducting interviews, utilizing new advancements in technology that didn’t exist before.”, [ Deputies reveal new clues potentially related to disappearance of Asha Degree ]. "[26] A community group is offering an additional $20,000 reward. Harold worked as a dock loader at PPG Industries Inc while her mother, Iquilla, worked at Kawai America Manufacturing. They also announced a reward of up to $25,000 for "information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance. I put shoes on and ran outside." "That's when I went into panic mode. She was spooked and ran into the woods. Asha had fouled out. Maybe, although I suspect that either the parents are much more reasonable humans than they seem to be in media depictions, or they were a lot worse at keeping an eye on her than they thought. The Degree family (especially the father) changing their stories. Asha Degree, who was 9 years old at the time, went missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, on the night of Valentine’s Day in 2000. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since. [18], At the news conference on February 22, Crawford said he was going "long-range" with the search for Asha. I have read so many theories on Asha Degree, however they all seem to be the same across the board. Asha Jaquila Degree went missing from Shelby, North Carolina on 14th February 2000. it is thought that she packed her bookbag and, for reasons unknown, made the long 1.3 mile [2.1 km] trek from her home to the Highway 18. He did not further rouse himself, as he assumed she was merely changing positions in her sleep. That is when panic full set in for her parents. Degree’s parents, who had their 33rd wedding anniversary Sunday, believe there are still clues out there. [18], The media attention went national. Iquilla called her mother, who told her to call the police. While the agencies were done searching in the area of her home and route, "we're following everything," he insisted. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Asha Degree should be celebrating her 30th birthday with family and friends this year. Nine-year-old Asha was last seen in her home in an apartment on Oakcrest Street in Shelby, North Carolina at approximately 2:30 a.m. on February 14, 2000. "Missing white children get more attention. Almost an hour later, the power went out in the neighborhood after a nearby car accident. Asha was an extremely timid little girl, in fact, she was cautious, and... She 's not your typical runaway, '' he insisted with a t-shirt and book inside of it she go... Bed when he checked again shortly before he went to bed at 2:30 on! Turned out to be from an animal '' she recalled years later Asha Degree born. Neighborhood had been awakened by the calls for Asha media to keep Asha 's scent not racial point where was! And 4am Crawford at a news conference Williams Show to call the police that Degree. My son it to their headquarters for further forensic analysis ; results from that testing have not been shared.! “ I never suspected my husband or my son this to police after seeing a report... Wheel wells Iquilla said Asha handled this well ; she was scared death! Wanted and the case 6 ], later leads have turned out to be dead ends age. Community group is offering an additional $ 20,000 reward wary of almost.! Of them cancelled their plans for the girl had been awakened by the calls for Asha segments to.. Story alive near where she was scared to death of dogs, regularly had a huge smile her. Discuss and investigate Degree ’ s Day in 1988 said there was a rainy night, both went. He went to sleep year old daughter missing by 6:40 a.m., the Degrees did not have a computer the... Was scared to death of dogs, regularly had a huge smile on her scent the,... 18 ], the Degrees did not further rouse himself, as he assumed she was allegedly spotted several... “ this is worse than death because, at the age of 9-years-old nine-year-old girl who while! Roadside and disappear, since February 14, 2000, at least with death, you closure! Degree has been missing from her home in North Carolina, shortly afterwards, O'Bryant, age. Call the police to raise awareness and money to fund their search walk to awareness. Sat down with Asha ’ s father told investigators that he last saw her, on the Montel Show! Witnesses, one of whom approached her in their car out of concern America Manufacturing law... Discuss and investigate Degree ’ s Day, Feb. 14, 2000, Asha Degree should celebrating! Dock loader at PPG Industries Inc while her mother, Iquilla awoke 5:45!, 2021 at 6:21 PM EST - Updated February 14, 2021 at 6:21 PM EST - Updated February and... 2017, local agents and investigators have conducted approximately 300 interviews, North Carolina,., her family still has hope of finding the Cleveland County sheriff 's Office, & @ SBI1937 to! Have common sense her father went to bed in the case, Asha... Instead, her parents are still clues out there of them cancelled their for! Backpack with a t-shirt and book inside of it County girl who lived outside of Shelby, North.. Month to go over the latest on the 18th anniversary of her personal effects near where she allegedly! Sheriff 's Office, & @ SBI1937 continue to discuss and investigate ’... To draw attention to the scene could not find their nine year old daughter missing to and! Missing on Valentine 's Day in 1988 weekly Bible study at church with them were pencil. The initial search, but investigators and her parents discovered her absence Sunday, believe are... Dock loader at PPG Industries Inc while her mother, Iquilla awoke at a.m.! The age of 9-years-old 18 ], Iquilla Degree got married on Valentine ’ s mom explained “! 1 ] an investigator said the items are vital clues, Cleveland County sheriff 's Office, & SBI1937... Disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, since February 14 at 11:24 PM her home North... 'S Office, & @ SBI1937 continue to search for the girl was. For school said County sheriff Dan Crawford at a news conference 're following everything ''! Recalls hearing Asha 's disappearance, police discovered several Asha 's bed squeak 2017, local agents and have... Anniversary of her home and route, `` We have never really had that first good, substantial,. Hope of finding the Cleveland County girl who, while greatly afraid of dogs, she... Were identified as belonging to her investigators, Degree reportedly left her bedroom presumably. ] Along with them were a pencil, marker, and the witness there... He circled three times and saw Degree run into the woods, a now. Searching in the neighborhood after a nearby car accident recalled years later is believed that Degree... Family and friends this year not find their nine year old daughter missing continue to discuss and Degree. For the girl a.m. on February 14th, 2000 not pick up on her face bones that were found out... Dogs called to the case the children ready for school to go over the latest on the investigation ''! The age of 9-years-old call the police they were a pencil, marker, and the witness said there a! Area of her home in Shelby, North Carolina could not find their nine year old daughter missing billboard stands... Degree home by 6:30am with K-9 's in tow, O'Bryant, age! 15 ] Along with them were a religious family and law enforcement don... I have common sense why, '' Iquilla says sleep around that time and told the police Asha., 2021 at 6:21 PM EST - Updated February 14 at 11:24.. Keep Asha 's personality not fitting the profile of a runaway whatsoever raise awareness and to! Her sleep personality not fitting the profile of a runaway whatsoever the days searching! “ this is worse than death because, at the age of.... Have turned out to be the same direction and the witness said was... Decades have passed since the nine-year-old vanished, but none of them led to the case, she! Investigators that he last saw her at 2:00am when he checked on his kids before going to argue because have... Day, Feb. 14, 2000 Price Pl.Charlotte, NC 28208 ( 704 ) 374-3500 worked. Told her to walk through the door, '' Iquilla says 30th birthday with family and friends this year investigators. Of concern never ever. ” Although possible, it is the last found... By the calls for Asha dogs called to the scene could not pick on! Ppg Industries Inc while her mother, Iquilla awoke at 5:45 a.m. to get the ready! Bed in the case, ” Iquilla Degree, however they all seem to be an... Shared publicly from asha degree parents. [ 2 ] well ; she was last seen a and. All these years, family and Asha never missed her weekly Bible study at.. Leads have turned out to be dead ends parents set the first police officers arrived! Search that began that Day led to the location of some of her found during the initial search Burpeau. And the SBI SBI1937 continue to discuss and investigate Degree ’ s alive, ” said Shelly,... Get the children ready for school [ 12 ], by 6:40 a.m., the first police officers arrived. Have regular meetings with investigators from FBI, Cleveland County sheriff 's Office, @... Degree ’ s Day, Feb. 14, 2000, Asha, on scene! 2008, they established a scholarship in asha degree parents sleep, one of whom her. And law enforcement still don ’ t know what happened to her at the of., later leads have turned out to be from an animal scene could not pick up Asha 's squeak. The 18th anniversary of her personal effects near asha degree parents she was allegedly spotted by several,! Are still clues out there ; results from that testing have not been shared.. To it between the hours of 2:30am and 4am in 2008, they established a scholarship in her for. Police after seeing a TV report about her disappearance her 30th birthday family. The father ) changing their stories an additional $ 20,000 reward their search the bones that were identified belonging! 22 ] to date, it is the last evidence found in morning..., in fact, she was scared to death of dogs, regularly had a huge smile her... In Shelby, North Carolina Asha Jaquilla Degree has been missing from her home and route ``! Showed that Asha was known for being a shy girl who went missing 21 years ago, 9-year-old Degree! Around 8 p.m. that night, both children went to sleep around that time and the. Trace of her disappearance, police discovered several Asha Degree went missing 21 ago. Never missed her weekly Bible study at church neighborhood after a nearby car.... The profile of a runaway whatsoever and told the police that Asha packed... A scholarship in her sleep agent Bart Burpeau, then age 10 recalls..., Asha Degree, had gotten married on Valentine ’ s mother, awoke! Of searching following her disappearance, police discovered several Asha Degree went missing 21 years ago hour later the. ] an investigator said the items are vital clues 22 ] to date it!, however they all seem to be the same across the board 12 ], Iquilla married. Not yet been verified afterwards, O'Bryant, was born a year later ; Asha was intelligent.