Search for missing Jayden Smith intensifies

 

Police in Manchester have ramped up their search efforts for missing 7th grader Jayden Smith with the assistance of several specialised units. 

 

The Jamaica Constabulary Force says a canine team joined the operation at 9 a.m. Friday. Additionally, a Specialised Operations team, equipped with a drone, is providing aerial support to help cover a wider area and identify possible leads. 

 

The coordinated search effort follows extensive ground operations by local police and community members over the last few days, which have so far not yielded any significant breakthroughs. 

 

Jayden, a student of Manchester High, has been missing for two weeks.

 

He was last seen near Mandeville earlier this week, and his disappearance has sparked growing concern among residents and relatives. 

 

Police are again urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station, 119 emergency number, or the Crime Stop hotline that at 311. 

 

Jayden's aunt and guardian, Ann-Marie Thompson, has denied speculation that the family is responsible for him failing to return home. 

 

Ms. Thompson remains adamant that he was not harmed by any member of the family. 

 

"I just want to clear the air concerning Jayden. We did Jayden nothing. What happened to Jayden? We have no idea what happened to Jayden," she insisted.

 

Superintendent Carey Duncan, Commanding Officer of the Manchester Police, had earlier said no resource is being spared in the search for the student. 

 

"Our team [has] been out day and night, following up on all the leads that we get in order to find or to locate this young man. We have incorporated our JDF counterparts, the fire brigade, our canine units, our drone units. All the agencies are working together to locate this young man. And we are spearing no effort. As we get the information, certainly we move on it."

 

The senior lawman said the police have received a number of prank calls from people claiming to have seen the teen. But he appealed for an end to this practice, noting that it could compromise the ongoing investigation.

 

He was addressing the monthly meeting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation on Thursday.