Editor,
I am the mother of Joshua Jeffs who went missing in Revelstoke more than two years ago, on December 19, 2013. I am pleading that someone, any organizations who are willing to help, conduct a search this upcoming spring.
I live in The Pas, Manitoba. I don’t have the resources to organize a search from two provinces away. If you are a parent you will understand my family’s need to locate my son's remains. I do understand some people look down on my son because he decided to run into the bushes when the police were in pursuit of him. He is still my child and I never loved him less for the wrong choices he has made, just as I’m sure you wouldn’t if your child made those choices as well.
After Josh went missing, I told the RCMP that if he didn’t contact me by Christmas, as we were very close, I would know he never made it out of the bush. As time passed he was declared a missing person. I was informed that Revelstoke Search & Rescue (SAR) would conduct a search in the spring of 2014.
I then hitchhiked from northern Manitoba in May 2014. I stayed in Revelstoke for two weeks waiting for a search, but sadly SAR was not ready. I hitchhiked back home and returned to work and waited to be contacted by SAR. When they reached out to me for a search in June, I once again, hitchhiked to Revelstoke so I could be present.
Nothing was found, so I returned home. A few days later, I read the report on the search in the local Revelstoke paper, which said they would not be having anymore searches for my son. I don’t know why I was not told that when I was in British Columbia.
There was only the one search for my son after the snow had cleared up. Previous paper clippings said they would continue to do more searches after the foot search, which did not happen. This news was very upsetting, as any parent would understand.
I am pleading for any sort of help towards finding my son this upcoming spring. This experience has been extremely hard on me and my family. Please, for the peace of mind for myself and the rest of my children, help us bring my son home.
You can contact me directly on my cellphone at 1-204-620-2412.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Charlene Ehlerts
The Pas, Manitoba