Iowa private investigator Steve Ridge holds up a rendering of a blue backpack similar to the one in Cherrie Mahan's possession before her disappearance in 1985. Submitted photo.

A private investigator who has offered a $100,000 reward for information regarding the disappearance of Cherrie Mahan is asking for the public’s help in locating items that belonged to the 8-year-old girl who went missing in 1985 from Winfield Township.

Iowa private investigator Steve Ridge said the public should look for a blue backpack and a pair of Cabbage Patch earmuffs Charrie was believed to be wearing the day she disappeared. Ridge believes the items may have been discarded recently.

“We now know that two shoulder straps removed from a bag of this type were found during a search of the area right after Cherrie went missing,” Ridge said in a Sunday news release.

He added items like the earmuffs are often kept as souvenirs in similar cases. Both items were in good condition and could have been discarded or hidden anywhere, he said.

The team searching for Cherrie and state police independently conducted searches in the area last year.

In September, Ridge’s team used cadaver dogs to search an area within 10 minutes of where Cherrie disappeared. In October, state police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched an area along River Road in South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County.

Bailey Gizienski, a member of “Cherrie’s Angels” who has been aiding the search, said the group made progress searching its site, but does not know the results of state police’s search. The group is looking to use cadaver dogs again in the future.

A pair of Cabbage Patch Kids earmuffs resembling the ones worn by Cherrie Mahan when she disappeared in 1985 are shown. Submitted photo.