Cherrie was last seen exiting the bus from her elementary school approximately 100 yards from her family's home in Cabot, Pennsylvania. A bright blue or green 1976 Dodge van was seen in the area at the time. The van was following the school bus Cherrie had been riding in. The van had a snow-capped mountain and skier mural painted on both sides of the vehicle. The skier was wearing red and yellow clothing and was skiing down the mountain. She was wearing a white leotard, a gray coat, a blue denim skirt, white stockings, blue leg warmers, beige soft ankle boots without heels, and brown Cabbage Patch earmuffs. Carrying a blue backpack with two straps and a cream-colored top, and decorated with a blue and red heart.