Even as the search for a missing teenager continues, a social worker here is calling on her to return home and confide in someone she trusts concerning any difficulties that she may be facing.
“If there is an issue to be resolved at home, resolve it as quickly as possible,” Francis Joseph said.
According to police reports, Shanelle Xavier of Madrelle, a student of the Wesley High School, was last seen by her brother last Friday at around 10:30 pm when she informed him that she was going to a shop to buy Ramen.
She has not been seen since.
“Talk to someone,” Joseph urged. “Talk to an aunt, an uncle, a teacher, talk to somebody you feel would listen to you. Whatever the situation is, you are going to have a lot of people worried about you when you just move out and they don’t know where you are. And as the days go by, they get more worried.”
The Social Worker said if missing young people is becoming a trend on the island, in-depth investigations need to be conducted to identify the root of the problem.
“My suggestion would be once they are back there should be some sort of interview with them to try to find out what caused this to happen, what triggered this,” he stated. “We need to find out basically from the family, if that’s where it originated from, so lessons can be learnt and we can advise families with children, with young girls in that particular age group, on how they can cope when these situations that are facing them.”
Joseph is also calling on the populace to avoid jumping into conclusions when young people are reported missing.
“This is kind of new to Dominica in the sense that the frequent reporting will cause some concern for all of us and as a society we need to be careful and try to look out more,” he remarked. “Why would a 14-year-old be missing?”
He is also applauding the police for their work on the matter and is calling on the rest of the community to join in the search. At the same time he is suggesting that the search be widened to the extended family as children usually take refuge with family members.
“Then again young people need to have a space if they are faced with issues, people that they can talk with,” he said. “Parenting is key to all of these things. A safe, welcoming home is key to all of these children.”
He is calling on parents to be there for their children and is hoping that Xavier is found as quickly as possible.
Reports indicate that Xavier is five feet and 10 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds.
Anyone with information are asked to call the police headquarters at 448-2222.
Just last week Monique Andrew of Woodfordhill was found unharmed about 24 hours after she was reported missing.
She stayed out till 1:30 am???
These parents are either too strict or not strict enough
Hmmm….I saw this little girl at Borough Square yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon between 5:30 and 6:00pm. Her hair was combed similarly (except with hair clips and not twists) and she was wearing a blue acid wash short pants with the threaded our ends. I watched her a few times, but did not have enough time to check back the pic on DNO.
She was talking to one of the Portsmouth Bus Drivers (I know him) and he had on a red shirt at the time.
She was near the busses, and then she walked towards the old wharf while speaking with the Bus Driver.
I could be wrong, but the hairstyle stood out to me.
Dear child we found Mariette Baptist so shall you be found in the name of Jesus.. Please pray the prayer of St. Anthony and she will be found.. I do not know her but I pray for her to be well wherever she may be..remember shanise from layout was found after 40 days. God is in control. Parents be your children’s best friends please by that they tell you everything… come back home baby girl.
Young lady if someone is holding you against your will we will deal with them,but if you are out to waste people’s time is another matter,you just have to learn to grow up and practice what your parents taught you.What wrong with your mobile phone ? Get in touch now or it will be worst if we come looking for you. I can scene you reading these notes so be brave and call now.hey I would glad to hear from you,just try me.SEE YOU SOON
Shanelle dear if you are reading this, please return. We are all crying .. so many of us in pain – friends and family alike. We love you sweetheart. Come back and stay out of harm’s way. Shanelle we are waiting. No matter how you feel unloved this is not so. God the Father loves you too. You may have made a mistake. We all do but pick up the pieces and come back. Your school friends are also missing you. We pray for your safe return. Love you boo! Father continue to guide and protect her and lead her back to us in Jesus Name.
Was there any follow up with the disappearance and return of Miss Monique Andrew? If this is a pattern we would like to know
Mr. Joseph, I am glad that you have advised Dominicans to avoid jumping to conclusions when kids go missing. I know the family personally and I can safely say that the teen in question has support that she can turn to, in particular, her paternal grandmother. No parent is 100% perfect and having said this, her mother and father have made their mistakes. However, they care for their daughter. Shanelle, I am appealing to you to return home. Your life may not be as smooth sailing as you wish for it to be but you should realize that being out there on the streets will only get you into the wrong company and in harm’s way. I was once an adolescent living with my grandparent and trust me, it can be rough. You sometimes feel misunderstood and unloved but they do it for you betterment. Parents, grandparents, villagers let us take it upon ourselves to speak to our young people in a more approachable manner ensuring that we validate their feelings while instilling good morals.
Safe return…
Well said Loubiere Resident….I applaud you contribution and comments and concur with you on the professional response, support and guidance from Mr. Joseph. It is very welcoming and has helped us to put this matter in perspective.
May I suggest that you contact Mr. Joseph to meet with the family, as I understand he resides in the same area and goes to same church…please pursue that all get the necessary help and professional guidance
while might heart goes out to this young lady did u all heard her mother on mappin evening news dated 2/02/2015 she normarly goes out she never sleep out she would come home about 1.30am?
1:30? what a 14 year old have to be doing outside at 1:30-2:00
I was almost 18 and i had to be inside by 8-9.
10.30pm is somewhat late for the young lady to go shopping. Which shop in the Madrelle area is still open ? I appreciate the thinking of the Social Scientist Mr. Joseph, and hope that is indeed the position. That she may have left on her own. But something more sinister could have happened as well.
It’s funny how they are telling Dominicans not to jump to conclusions, yet they are by assuming she ran away because of issues in the home. There are other reasons why someone could go missing, so we should stop assuming and hope that she is found safe and sound.
Jane Doe, can you assist us?, Help us to explore “What `other reasons` are there `why someone could go missing….?`”…..That would certainly help in the search…and ultimately the stop of run away young children
Thanks
This isn’t necessarily a case of a run away child. It could be that she was kidnapped. I hope that the police are investigating and not just dismissing this as another run away teen.
Alas pa pa bon dieu please bring her back in one piece
Parents act like they weren’t teenagers once, I am happy that social services is getting involved…. Most Caribbean parents need to learn proper parenting skills
She is tall….start giving her her independence…. Talk to your kids and trust them…discipline properly
Mr Social worker any chikd who runs away should be interviewed by the police and Welfare department before returning to their family…if a child ranaway from an abusive situation. …the family members may sometimes cover-up for the abuser… .this is very common in our culture. …this may not be the case but as a child welfare organization, precaution should be taken