NCMEC and Adobe Partner for Live Facial Reconstruction at Comic-Con to Help Identify San Diego John Doe

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SAN DIEGO, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week at Comic-Con, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Adobe are teaming up to bring the public face-to-face with one of NCMEC's most haunting unidentified child cases.

From July 24 through July 27, a forensic artist will complete a full facial reconstruction live from the Adobe Booth (#4313) in hopes of identifying a young boy known only as "John San Diego Doe 2004." Using 3D printing, clay and tools provided by Adobe, NCMEC's team will build a physical likeness based on a scan of the child's actual skull. The goal is to show what he may have looked like in life and finally give him a name.

The child's skeletal remains were found on May 4, 2004, in a wooded area near the I-15 exit in Rancho Bernardo, California. The remains were inside a green and tan duffle bag that appeared to have been dumped. Investigators believe the child, who may have been between 7 and 10 years old, had been deceased for at least a year. Despite efforts from law enforcement and forensic experts, his identity remains unknown more than two decades later.

"This child deserves to be known. He deserves justice," said Gavin Portnoy, vice president of communications at NCMEC. "Every time we create a facial reconstruction like this, we're giving the public the chance to connect with a child who has no voice. Someone, somewhere, knows who he is. That's who we're trying to reach."

Comic-Con attendees are invited to visit Booth #4313 at the San Diego Convention Center throughout the event to witness the process and learn more about the role of digital tools and public engagement in identifying missing and unknown children.

This year's activation is part of NCMEC and Adobe's larger partnership to inspire action, raise awareness, and show how everyday people - from artists to educators to Comic-Con fans - can be superheroes for children in need.

Media are encouraged to attend, film the reconstruction in progress, and speak with NCMEC representatives on-site.

Anyone with information about "John San Diego Doe 2004" is urged to contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

SOURCE The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children