Logan Nathaniel Bowman

RESOLVED

Logan, circa 2003

  • Missing Since 01/07/2003
  • Missing From Galax, Virginia
  • Classification Endangered Missing
  • Sex Male
  • Race White
  • Age 5 years old
  • Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male.

Details of Disappearance

Logan reportedly disappeared from his Galax, Virginia home on January 7, 2003, but his mother, Cynthia Lee Davis, did not report him missing until January 23, over two weeks after his disappearance.

She and her boyfriend, Dennis "Danny" Schermerhorn, were subsequently charged with felony murder in Logan's case, and Davis pleaded guilty and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison and twenty years of probation. She testified against Schmermerhorn.

She claimed that Logan was severely scalded in the bathtub on or about January 7, and and she wanted to take him to a hospital, but Schmermerhorn told her to calm herself first. Davis stated she fell asleep and when she woke up, Logan was gone and she never saw her son again. Schmermerhorn said  it was Davis who left with Logan and later returned without him. He stated he believed Davis had sold the child.

In May 2004, a judge dismissed the murder charge against Schmermerhorn, citing lack of evidence. Prosecutors were counting on Davis's evidence to convict him, but her testimony was self-serving and inconsistent and the judge did not find her credible, and Logan's body had not been found. Schmermerhorn was convicted of one count of child neglect only and sentenced to a year in jail.

In September 2022, Logan's remains were found in a wooded area in the vicinity of Iron Ridge Road in Galax. They were identified in December 2023. Authorities stated they anticipated filing more charges in his case.

Updated 8 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated December 27, 2023; case resolved.