‘Don’t Forget Her’: 25 Years After Bethany Markowski vanished, her family works to protect other children
LEBANON, Tenn. – It has been 25 years since 11-year-old Bethany Markowski disappeared at the Old Hickory Shopping Mall while her father waited on her in the car.
March 4, 2026, marked the 25th anniversary of Markowski’s disappearance and is also recognized by the State of Tennessee as Missing Children’s Day.The Bethany Markowski Foundation, Inc. was created in honor of Markowski and is dedicated to supporting families of missing children. It works to promote child safety education across the state and serves families at no cost to them.
The foundation held its Inaugural Tennessee Missing Children’s Day on Wednesday at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of The Bethany Markowski Foundation
“This night is about Bethany,” said Jonnie Carter, Chair of the Foundation and Bethany’s mother. “She is still missing. In my speech, I will be telling Bethany’s story and making sure her name is at the forefront of everything we do. From this moment forward, all of our nonprofit efforts will be carried out in Bethany’s name. She deserves to be remembered- not just tonight, but always. Don’t forget her.”
Photo courtesy of The Bethany Markowski Foundation
Bethany was 95 pounds when she disappeared. She had went into Old Hickory Mall while her father waited in the car for her to return. After approximately two hours, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), her father went into the mall to find her. He was unable to find her.
Photo courtesy of The Bethany Markowski Foundation
Wednesday night’s event featured speakers from law enforcement agencies, free children’s fingerprinting services provided to Wilson County families, child safety education information for families and community members, silent auction benefiting the foundation, event-day merchandize, a small art station and kids corner where children participated in activities after being fingerprinted, and a candlelight vigil at the conclusion of the evening that honored Bethany and all missing children.
The event provided families with free resources on how to talk to your children about safety, how to create a family emergency plan, recognizing warning signs, and what to do if your child goes missing.
Photo courtesy of The Bethany Markowski Foundation
The Markowski family did not have access to fingerprinting when Bethany went missing. Children at the event were able to get their fingerprints taken and placed on file. Parents were then able to take their child’s fingerprint card home with them to keep in case it is ever needed.
Photo courtesy of The Bethany Markowski Foundation
The foundation’s mission is to have “a Tennessee where no family facing a missing child emergency stands alone, and where every child’s safety is protected through community education, coordinated response, and sustained public awareness.
To learn more about The Bethany Markowski Foundation, or to contact them about educational resources, click here.
For more state news, click here.
