On October 29, 2011, Ricardo James disappeared from St. Louis, Missouri. On the day of his disappearance, he took his six-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter to Pierce's home in the 4700 block of Ashland Court. They stayed at Pierce's apartment for a day or two, and at some point James went away with someone in a car and never returned. He has never been heard from again.

James had been granted custody of his children several years before and his relatives stated he was a very protective parent and didn't let his children stay at other people's homes. He lived in the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante. His sister said he worked at a nursing home, attended church and was not involved with drugs. She didn't believe he would have left his children voluntarily.

A few days after James disappeared, his children were found alone at a vacant home in Granite City, Missouri. Pierce was accused with leaving them there and charged with felony child abandonment. The children were given to the care of relatives.

Pierce herself disappeared from St. Louis in February 2012. It's unclear whether her disappearance is connected to James's case or whether either of them met with foul play. Both cases remain unsolved.