By Brandon W. Mudd
ST. LOUIS: More than 20 years ago, Arlin Henderson disappeared without a trace after leaving his home in Moscow Mills, Mo., to ride his bike. The family continues to search for their beloved boy, forever 11 years old in their hearts and mind and crave closure.
This weekend, as Monster Jam hits town, the Henderson family will be assisted in their search by the legendary monster truck team Bounty Hunter from the 2Xtreme Racing stable. The truck, driven by Jimmy Creten, will carry a logo with Arlin’s picture and information on how to contact authorities with any details or leads that would aid in the search of the lost boy.
The Rev. Jim McWilliams, Arlin’s uncle, has kept the search alive. He points out the miraculous discovery of Shawn Hornbeck, also a native of the St. Louis area, after he was kidnapped in 2002 and found alive five years later. McWilliams has utilized the help of motorsports fans in the past, specifically with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team of Kevin Conway at Kansas Speedway and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team of TJ Bell at the former Gateway International Raceway.
“With these guys coming on board like they have, it’s taking us to a higher level than newspapers and media could because it takes us to a higher level because his picture will be seen worldwide on television,” McWilliams said. “When we were part of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Gateway in 2010, I think that was the first opportunity to be with a national series and we were getting phone calls from all over the place because the picture was on the truck. This gives us the ability to reach people we wouldn’t normally be able to reach. Hopefully, his picture (on Bounty Hunter this weekend) will jar someone’s memory to think that maybe they’ve seen this child.”
While there have been no significant leads in the case of late, McWilliams said he continues to work with law enforcement officials and they in turn continue to work with the family in the search for his nephew.
“There are a few things being looked at right now by the FBI and the law enforcement community in Missouri and they’ve been great about keeping us informed,” he said. “They’re going through everything from the beginning and they’re working very hard. They have restored my faith in their ability to find missing children.”
Creten is scheduled to participate in a meet and greet for fans Friday at 5 p.m. at the Downtown St. Louis Hampton Inn at the Gateway Arch, the Official Hotel of 2Xtreme Racing in St. Louis. He will also be available to attending media to discuss the Henderson case.
“We’re honored to work with the family of Arlin Henderson at this weekend’s Monster Jam in St. Louis,” Creten said. “It is our hope that by seeing Arlin’s picture on Bounty Hunter, fans at the Edward Jones Dome or viewers who see the replay on SPEED will do what they can to help get this young man home to his loving family & friends.”
For more information on Arlin Henderson, visit www.LookForArlin.com. A $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Arlin’s disappearance is in effect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the local FBI or call 1-800-THE LOST or McWilliams at 314-807-2100.
Fans of Bounty Hunter and 2 Xtreem Racing can visit them on the Web at www.BountyHunter4x4.com and on their official pages on Facebook at /www.facebook.com/BountyHunter4x4 and www.facebook.com/2XtremeRacing.
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