On Saturday, June 12, 2004, 54-year-old Ronald Baldwin along with a 12-year-old neighbor went four-wheeling on his 300-acre farm on Buckner Hill North Road, in Bonnieville, Ky.
At some point along the ride, the 12-year-old neighbor, whom I read was male and was considered to be mentally handicapped (no mention to what capacity) returned to the house to refuel his ATV, but was unable to find his way back to where he had left Ronald.
It wasn’t unusual for Ronald to spend hours out among the forest of his property. He was an avid outdoorsman and riding his ATV was one of his favorite things to do. However, Ronald’s girlfriend reported him missing the following day when he hadn’t returned home by 9:30 pm.
The Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, and a rescue squad began searching for him immediately. They gave up their efforts at around 1:00 am Monday but reconvened that afternoon. Again they searched well into the darkness before calling it and continuing for another 12 hours on Tuesday. Authorities and search crews were determined to search all 300 acres of Ronald’s own farm, as well as all the surrounding properties.
Ronald’s ATV was eventually found abandoned by one of his neighbors, along with Ronald’s prescription glasses, his shoes, and an unfinished bottle of Early Times Whiskey. Nothing I read suggested that there were any signs of a struggle. No footprints, no blood, nothing.
No sign of Ronald has ever been found.
Law Enforcement does consider his disappearance suspicious and would appreciate any information that the public could provide: Hart County Sheriff’s Ofc 270-524-2341.
03/21/2021 – no updates available.
