A mother from Newtown is in search of her daugther who she said has been missing since Monday.
Karen Josephs told Dominica New Online that her 16- year-old daughter, Jade Junkere, was last seen on Monday afternoon and has not been seen since.
According to her, Junkere was last seen by her grandmother wearing the uniform of the high school she attends. She said the young lady had gone to her grandmother’s workplace for lunch after taking an exam.
A report has been made to the police and they are assisting in the search for the third former, Josephs said.
Josephs is appealing to anyone who has seen her daughter to contact her or the police.
The police can be contacted at 448-2222 and Josephs’ contact numbers are 316-5174 or 245-9160.
I sincerely hope that she is found safe and sound
These days I keep silent on these matters. While I sympathize with the family and I hope that she is returned safely, I have to say that this trend leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The public goes frantic, everyone trying to assist whether the know the child or not but the response from the family is bordering on ungrateful when the child is returned. You do not hear anything from the family to give us a clue what happened. We do not need personal details, but you could at least come back to the same public to say , well she was with a friend, or whatever that is not too revealing so that we have a clue as to what angle we can take when it happens again. It seems like just a game to us and soon we will give up when a child really needs help, just saying…………..
my friend your so right that’s just what I keep saying to many times this things going on in Dominica with this young girls that just want there own way am to busy for this things we all have to take life the hard way if we don’t want people to talk to us and that’s it i back you 100% on that have a bless day
Dear DNO
I would like to make a bug report, I can only give this comment 1 thumbs up
Thank you
“Shabba” strikes once again in the Botanical Gardens.So all young girls be careful.He posed as a returning student!!
For years these things are going on. I had a sister who did the same thing. My mom, no one could stop her. She would leave for school, change from her uniform to plain clothes and take off for days. This behavior is very hurtful. It is painful! We as a society must go back to the days when we helped raise our children and not leave it up to the parents only because sometimes they do all they can and more. When society gets involved, lets let it be in positive ways that can bring about lasting change. Lets begin to look out for the neighbors. Too many parents suffer as a result of this but too many are too weak emotionally to fix things.
I pray that Jade is found, alive, well and unharmed. I pray that she will see the outpouring of love and concern for her life and pay attention.
May God have mercy on any one who is holding her against her will.
Hear our prayers and cries Oh Lord!
I hope that she’s not with some older man holding her against her will she’ a minor. I hope who ever is keeping this child away is penalize. Lord protect this gril wherever she is guide her safely back home to her family.
Oh Karen I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers. Wow, this is hitting closer and closer to home. Hope all is well with you. Let’s pray for her safe return. Be strong Karen.
i pray that Jade is found unharmed and safe. I have nothing more to say because it is out of place to even think of what is going on in the family or in the child’s mind. some of us like to speculate and run to conclusions. all we have to do is pray for the child and her family. Don’t make it our business to make a story out of it.
the thing is,i am a man,if I having a relationship with a school child,i already know that is a violation,so why would I keep her around my home,when I know that going to cause a problem for me,just saying if that is the case here,anyway you put it where ever she is or,who ever got her, or holding her against her will,should know that light is coming your way,this is a human being,the police is coming,this a stupid avoidable problem,people does put on theirselves
and also hi to the folks at DNO,please allow me to make a suggestion to you all,first of all,allow me to commend you all for job being done very well,keeping Dominicans at home and throughout the diaspora updated as to what is going on in our beautiful country dominica,thanks,with this said,my suggestion is that you all apply a{ edit and delete button),so as to when folks have a typing era or misspell situation,that they have the option to correct themselves,…..again thank you
Sad to hear. Could someone say what uniform she had on? It was only stated that it was a high school.
According to her face book page, she attends the Wesley High School.
Far too often girls are missing in Dominica. One comforting thing is that they usually return home.
What we do not hear as often is the reason they left, or what is being done if anything to stop it from happening.
Hopefully, the authorities will deal kindly with each girl but do their best to determine why she left home.
In some cases (thankfully not all) it is a symptom of a bigger and more serious problem.
It is a parent’s worst nightmare. I am a father (a grandfather). I suspect all of us have those moments when we wonder ”What if …” I ask Christians everywhere to pray with me for Jade’s speedy and safe return, and also that God will give peace of mind to her family members.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Rev Hill,
There is always underlying issues to this problem. Any logical thinking child would not just run away from home for days or weeks. This is not normal behavior. Whether it is neglect and compensate for such from men/women out there, but it is something.
Dominica lacks a lot of these services/programs. This is where that needs funding. Not election campaigns. That goes for government leaders as well as oppositions. All need to work together to build the youth. They are the future of the country. Empowering them should be a serious focus. There should be funding for counseling services in the schools, as well as sensitivity training for teachers etc. i have heard of children going to school, some of whom come from abusive households and instead of teaching trying to find a reasonable way to address the issue, they sitting around and “malpalaying” the children. That is not right.
OMG:
I agree with your comments. Why the girls leave home is the big question.
This is a symptom of something much bigger. It concerns me because it is so widespread.
This is something trained and qualified people should be dealing with. And I agree that a social worker in each case should be talking to the girl. If abuse is uncovered it must be turned over to the police.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
I do not know why this young lady went missing or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. I just pray for her safe return.
Rev. Hill please keep OMG in your prayers while you at it.
Return home safely Jade!!
I just hope and pray they find her alive and well
Is this a trend with Dominican young girls now? Or is this a new business order of the day by running a way to cause panic and blame others for their action?
Why don’t we question parenting skills. Why don’t we look into recent life changes ( divorce of parents, death in family, trauma related incidents, etc)
We cannot be quick to judge and blame the children. How about trying to uplift them and help them to overcome whatever it is that is affecting them?
This child does not need judgment, she needs help.
If we have nothing nice to say or nothing helpful to offer, then we have no business saying a word.
OMG:
All of these things are legitimate concerns.
I would expect a genuine social worker or counselor would ask probing questions that would draw out the answers.
No sensible girl that age is going to just up and leave home. If she is running from something that is a different matter and must be dealt with in a manner that is in the child’s best interest.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Internationa Evangelist.l
i hope she is ok wherever she is
seriously???!!! i do hope you are fine where ever you are right now but if you are by some man lil girl go home……………by the time you 20 this guy wont matter,go home and stop giving people heartaches
THE Police need to investigate the role of the mother because the child could be staying away from an abusive household and yes little girl if your at a Man home go at ur Aunt home if ur Mother isn’t in sync with you.
Terry Stevens you made a very interesting point. Often times, the environment/atmosphere at home is what they run from. Not all troubled kids are running away due to wanting their own way or wanting to be with man/woman. We have no knowledge what goes on in their household. The child could be running away from an abusive parent or family member. Thorough investigation into the details surrounding this case. Children protective services should conduct a review. This child does need to be evaluated by a mental health professional preferably a social worker. Individual and family counseling should be offered.
There is this stigmatization in dominica where individuals are scared to seek help because of the misunderstanding surrounding such issues and services. Seeking counseling services doesn’t mean you are crazy.
Another issue that needs to be addressed and may be a reason for people not seeking these services would be the violation of confidentiality and privacy codes…
I hope they find her soon.