ROJAY KING
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
INFORMATION THAT will lead to the location of young Rojay King who went missing two years ago will cost his family a hefty million dollars, but for them, the joy of his return will be priceless.
The relatives of young Rojay, whom they call C.J., have put their money where their hearts are, and are offering a $1 million reward to anyone who can give information that will lead to his discovery or recovery.
The advertisement appeared this week in the Star newspaper.
Even after two years, Rojay's mother, Janet Hardie, 30, is still in shock over the disappearance of her boy who went missing at age 5.
Losing her only child has been a life shattering experience, she told The Gleaner, speaking from her home in St. Ann.
"I just can't keep up ... this thing ruin my life completely," Miss Hardie said, in a voice that personified anguish.
For her, the truism that time heals all wounds holds no meaning. She told The Gleaner that as the days go by her pain and suffering intensifies.
"It's been two years now and instead of getting stronger I am getting weaker," she said, struggling to hold back the tears.
Still, the flame of hope has not died.
"I know he is not dead. He is alive," she said insistently.
Ms. Hardie also indicated that she was extremely dissatisfied with the police, whom she said have put little effort into finding her son.
Having suffered a breakdown, she said as soon as she gets stronger, she will be going overseas to solicit help from the international community.
When The Gleaner contacted the St. Ann's Bay Police, they were unable to say which officer was handling the case and as a result could not give an update on the matter.
Since C.J. went missing on March 10, 2002, his family has been offering a cash reward for information. That amount has grown from $100,000 to $1 million.
Ms. Hardie said people have called over the years but a lot of them seem to be interested in one thing only the money.
Reports are that on the day he went missing, Rojay was with his mother and her family and some friends at Laughing Beach, St. Ann, which is located very close to their home.
Miss Hardie reported that she kept an eye on Rojay up to the point where she got a phone call and turned her back. When she was through with the call, her son was nowhere in sight.
The family's first thought was that he was in the water, so they searched there for him. The search eventually moved to surrounding areas, and eventually the police were alerted.
The coast guard and police also searched the sea and found nothing so they ruled out drowning, and began investigating the matter as a case of kidnapping. The St. Ann's Bay police are still investigating.
If you have information on Rojay, please contact Janet Hardie at
794-9105 or 449-2275; or call 119.
