Adam Herrman

*This article includes content which may be disturbing to some readers, such as excessive violence or sexual assault/abuse. Discretion is advised.*

## Adam Herrman

* Living photo
* Age progressed

### Classification

Suspected homicide

**Adam Joseph Herrman** was a boy who went missing sometime in the summer of 1999. The exact date of his disappearance is unknown because he was not reported missing until 2008. His photo is shown age-progressed to 26 years.

## Background

Adam lived with his adoptive parents, Douglas "Doug" Raymond Herrman and Valerie Janelle Herrman, as well as his two adopted siblings. He had been cared for by the Herrmans since he was two years old when he was taken from his biological parents. He was homeschooled and had previously spent 2 days in a children's home after being found with bruises from a spanking by Valerie. Adam last had contact with his biological sister in 1994.

According to his adopted siblings, Adam was abused. He was often locked in the bathroom, made to sleep in the bathtub, and denied food. His sister said she saw Valerie kick, hit, and step on Adam. His brother, Justin, claimed to have called the police after Valerie threw Adam against a wall, however, his mother convinced him to tell the police he made up the story. No record of this phone call exists, but his abuse claims were substantiated by other relatives, including Adam's aunt and Valerie's mother. Justin alleges that Valerie was the main perpetrator of the physical abuse against Adam.

Valerie admitted to spanking Adam, sometimes with a belt, but she denied abusing him. She claimed that she was advised by doctors to keep Adam in the bathroom because he had allegedly threatened to kill his parents. She also said that child psychologists believed Adam suffered from an attachment disorder and either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

## Case

According to Adam's adoptive parents, he ran away from home in May 1999 after a spanking, and they avoided reporting him missing out of fear of losing custody of their other children. He was not realized as missing until 2008 when his adoptive sister went to the police. He could not be located and it was discovered that Social Services believed he had lived with the Herrmans until he was 18, which his sister knew was false.

The Herrmans continued to claim Adam as a dependent on their taxes and accepted adoption subsidies for him after he disappeared. They were charged with felony theft in July 2010, having fraudulently accepted over $50,000. Doug and Valerie reached a plea bargain and were sentenced to 9 and 7 months in prison, respectively.

Doug passed away in July 2016. In his obituary, Adam was listed as surviving him, however, authorities believe Adam is deceased. His adoptive parents are the prime suspects in his disappearance. Investigators have stated that murder charges may still be brought against Valerie, even if Adam’s remains are never found, or that she could be charged with crimes related to child abuse and failure to report him missing.

Despite searches of the Herrman's properties, Adam’s body has never been found. However, authorities did find an answer to one of their questions. They have not disclosed what exactly they found, but there is no evidence that Adam is alive. Foul play is strongly suspected in his case.

## Characteristics

* Sandy blond hair.
* Blue eyes.
* 1/4 by 1/2 inch birthmark on his back.
* Multiple scars on his abdomen.
* 3/4 inch scar on his inner left thigh.
* Wore glasses with gold wire frames.

## Sources

* Adam Herrman at *NamUs*
* Adam Herrman at *NCMEC*
* Adam Herrman at the *Doe Network*
* Adam Herrman at the *Charley Project*