The Disappearance of Christian Ferguson
Episode 075
CASE UPDATE - DAWAN FERGUSON ARRESTED AND CHARGED
Dawan Ferguson, the father of Christian Ferguson, has been arrested and charged with one count of first degree murder
Christian Ferguson was born with a life threatening disorder and nearly died in his first three days. Once the doctors were able to diagnose him, treatment was assigned and it was believed Christian could live a normal, healthy life.
Following his parents divorce, and a bitter dispute in court, Christian's father, Dawan T. Ferguson was granted full custody while his mother, Theda, has visitation. Theda filed multiple claims against Dawan for neglect and child abuse, though these were never proven and the court did not accept them.
In 2001, Christian suffered a setback in which his condition worsened and he seized and fell into a coma. He suffered severe brain damage which inhibited his abilities and required full time supervision and care. While multiple nurses noted poor conditions at his home, Christian remained with his father.
In June of 2003, Theda won a court case in which she proved Dawan was denying her visitation. Dawan was ordered to give Theda back visitation starting on June 14th, but sadly, Christian would be gone by then.
On June 11th, Dawan called 911 to report that his vehicle had been stolen with Christian inside. Two hours later the vehicle was discovered, but Christian was nowhere to be seen. Over the course of the next sixteen years, investigators would uncover an avalanche of evidence suggesting Christian had been neglected, abused and possibly, murdered.
What happened to Christian Ferguson and what secrets remain in the mind of the man who was charged with taking care of him?
Listen to 075 - The Disappearance of Christian Ferguson
UPDATE
Sixteen years after Christian’s disappearance, in October of 2019, St. Louis County arrested and charged his father, Dawan, with one count of first degree murder, he is currently being held without bond. While the details of what resulted in Dawan being charged haven’t yet been revealed, I would argue there is a good chance it has to do with the fact that his wife, who he was married during the time Christian disappeared, filed for divorce one month prior to Dawan being charged.
When asked about the arrest, Theda told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch “I knew that justice was on it’s way, but I’m in shock. I feel supported and I’m excited. I’m a lot of different things right now because I don’t know how to be in this place, but I’m glad I’m here.” Theda has long fought for justice for her son and has been very involved in advocacy.
As of now, Dawan Ferguson is in prison and awaiting trial. His defense attorney has argued he will get the case thrown out, but only time will tell what new develops in this extremely sad and disturbing case.
Unlike the previous cases, these next two have short updates but I did want to include them in the interest of thoroughness. Unlike the previous cases, these next two have short updates but I did want to include them in the interest of thoroughness.
Sources:
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/f/ferguson_christian.html
http://missingchildren.wikia.com/wiki/Christian_Ferguson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TimEheyILzw
https://www.riverfronttimes.com/media-archive/3190208.0.pdf
http://www.lookingforanangel.org/home-about
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/police-think-christian-ferguson-dead#stream/0
https://soundcloud.com/user-365827123/where-is-christian-ferguson