Danny Barter - Missing Since 1959 in Alligator Infested Area

Source: NamUs.gov (Missing Person)

Case: Daniel “Danny” Barter — NamUs MP2688

Last updated on NamUs: (page footer shows 20260123.1)

Link: NamUs MP2688 — Daniel Barter

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Daniel “Danny” Barter — Missing Since 1959

Quick Facts

• Name: Daniel Barter
• Also known as: Danny
• NamUs Number: MP2688
• NCMEC Number: 600229
• Date of last contact: As per NamUs, June 18, 1959 (Thursday)
• According to 1959 journalism, he went missing on Wednesday, June 17th, 1959 
• Missing from: Lillian, Alabama (Baldwin County)
• Missing age: 4 years old

Circumstances

According to NamUs, Daniel was last seen playing near the banks of Perdido Bay. He was reportedly wearing only shorts at the time.

Physical Description

• Sex: Male
• Race/Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
• Height: 3' 0" (36 inches)
• Weight: 50 lbs
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Brown (left and right)
• Distinctive features: No known information (per NamUs)

Clothing & Items

• Clothing: Grey boxer shorts
• Footwear: Barefoot
• Accessories / items: Carrying a Nehi soda bottle

Additional Case Information

• NamUs case created: August 10, 2009
• Transportation: No information entered
• Missing from tribal land: No
• Primary residence on tribal land: No

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If you have information that could help, consider contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency listed on NamUs. Please use the official case page for the most current details.

Credit / official record: NamUs MP2688 — Daniel “Danny” Barter

Danny Barter -- Contemporaneous Journalism

Danny Barter is a missing person, last seen when he was four years old in Lillian, Alabama. A missing child, this is one of those cases where a youngster went missing when the supervising parent barely took his or her eyes off of him. Barter was with his mother when she suddenly realized that she could not hear him any more. He has not been seen or heard since, despite a renewed effort by the local police, including a billboard.

I took a look back at the journalism from the time. The area where he went missing was described as an area bordered by a bay with a sharp drop off on one side, an alligator-infested swamp on the other, and poisonous snakes in the area. Furthermore, the area was searched  by what was called more than 100 volunteers. It seems abduction by a stranger is the best scenario that could be hoped for.

His "last seen" date is published at NamUs as June 18th, 1959. I actually found some journalism from that exact date, meaning he likely went missing the day before. However, the point could be moot. Because Daniel was last seen near Perdido Bay, some have speculated that he may have drowned or encountered wildlife such as an alligator. While alligator attacks are rare, small children near shorelines can be particularly vulnerable -- especially if unsupervised.

The Birmingham News. June 18, 1959.

With nearly seventy years having passed and no recoverable evidence publicly identified, the likelihood of a definitive resolution appears slim. In practical terms, modern investigative resources are often directed toward cases where forensic evidence, living witnesses, or identifiable suspects still exist. That reality does not diminish the significance of Danny Barter’s disappearance, but it does highlight the harsh prioritization decisions agencies must make. For amateur or true-crime enthusiasts, I would think there are other cases that should be prioritized.

June 18, 1959. Pensacola News.