what is that moment of panic like, that first moment when you realize your child has disappeared? >> it's the most scariest thing. i think my guilt started at that point, because up until that day, i was there. and if i would have been there, i wouldn't be going through this. >> reporter: it was a day just like this one, snow on the ground, the sun shining, cherrie got off her school bus right here. she had to go about 200 feet, around that bend to get to her driveway. then another 300 feet to her front door. investigators never found any foot prints, which means she never got very far. kids on the bus described a blue van right behind the bus with a snow capped mountain, and a skier painted on its side. investigators checked out hundreds of leads. no van. no cherrie.