On April 9, 1947, a powerful tornado devastated Woodward, Oklahoma, leaving widespread destruction. Among those affected was Hutchinson “Olin” Croft, a respected sheep farmer, his wife, Cleta, and their two daughters, Joan and Geri. The tornado destroyed their home, killing Cleta instantly. Olin was seriously injured, while Joan and Geri suffered only minor injuries. The survivors were taken to Woodward’s only hospital. Since the girls did not need urgent care, they were sent to wait in the basement while staff tended to critical patients. That night, two men in khaki, military-style clothing entered the basement, claiming they had come for Joan. When one of them picked her up, she resisted, not wanting to leave Geri. The men reassured her they would return for her sister. They told hospital staff they were family friends taking Joan to a hospital in Oklahoma City, where relatives were waiting. Overwhelmed by the disaster, staff did not question them, and the men were allowed to leave with the child. Joan was never seen again.