In the small town of Ulysses, New York, a sense of unease settled over the community in early March of 2026. A young girl, 9-year-old Joanne Washburn, was reported missing from her home. Her parents last saw her on the evening of Wednesday, March 4th, and by the following morning, she was gone. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office was alerted at approximately 6:34 a.m. on Thursday, March 5th, after her parents discovered she was not in her room. At the time of her disappearance, it was believed she was wearing a blue jacket and gray and blue boots, and she may have been carrying a purple backpack with yellow strings. The news of a missing child quickly spread, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and the local community, all holding onto hope for her safe return.
The search for Joanne intensified as multiple law enforcement agencies joined the effort. A possible sighting of a child matching Joanne's description walking along Trumansburg Road at approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday provided a potential lead for investigators. Concern grew as it was confirmed that Joanne had not arrived at her school in Trumansburg that morning. As the hours ticked by, the community remained on edge, sharing her picture and information, praying for a positive outcome. The uncertainty of her whereabouts cast a shadow over the otherwise quiet town, with everyone hoping for any piece of information that could lead to her location.
After a tense search, the community of Ulysses breathed a collective sigh of relief. Joanne Washburn was found safe. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office announced that she had been located off Rabbit Run Road in the Town of Ulysses. The news brought an end to the immediate fear and uncertainty that had gripped the area. The case of Joanne Washburn's disappearance, which began with a frantic search for a missing child, concluded with her being found, a resolution for which her family and the entire community had been desperately hoping.
Last Seen: Mar 04, 2026
