The disappearance of Melissa Brannen occurred on December 3, 1989 at the Woodside Apartments in Lorton, Virginia.
She was the five-year-old daughter of Michael Brannen and Tammy Brannen, a single mother who lived in the complex.
She disappeared while attending a party held at the complex for its residents.
Caleb Daniel Hughes, a handyman for the complex, was convicted of abduction with the intent to defile and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Her body has never been found, she has never been proven to be dead, and murder charges have never been filed.The story of her disappearance was told on The FBI Files in the eighth episode of the first season.
It has also appeared on an episode of Forensic Files the fifth episode of the fourth season, entitled "Innocence Lost".