“You would find him in Connecticut’s KFC,” said a mysterious voice to Lyneth Mann-Lewis, a Canadian mother. "Who is this? Who is calling? Don't hang up yet!" screamed the frantic mother. It had been 31 years since her son disappeared, and she might have finally found some clue.
With so many questions in her mind, Lyneth decided to take a flight to the USA, hopeful of finding some closure. However, she still couldn't guess if indeed she finally could meet her missing kid or it was just a сruel game someone was playing with her...
Excited to See Her Son
It was a hot day to be outside in June 1987. Lyneth got to a dollar store in Islington Avenue as she was about to pick up her son from his father. Lyneth and Allan had parted ways, shortly after Jermaine was born.
Even when he had shared custody, Jermaine was overall a joyful boy without anything wrong with him. When she saw her baby’s smile, Lyneth’s world would always be lit up. She had no idea that doom awaited her.
A Surprise For Her Son
Since Jermaine used to stay with his father most of the time, Lyneth used to have spare time for herself. She still used to think about Jermaine even when he was away.
On her way to the dollar store, she saw a stuffed toy that reminded her of him. It was a cute lion plush with her boy’s brown eyes and she instantly bought it.
The Waiting Game
It was already past 4 PM but there was no sign of Allan and Jermaine. Lyneth soon started to feel a knot in her stomach.
She was getting restless because an hour had passed since their scheduled time. When she realized what might have happened, Lyneth got into her car and drove away in a hurry. She instantly called the police!
Lonely Lyneth
When Lyneth finally reached her home after this whole painful ordeal, she could sense a huge wave of loneliness was about to hit her. Her home was quieter than a whisper.
Two days had already passed since she called 911 in her car but she was yet to receive anything from the authorities. Where was Jermaine? Was he even alive? These questions kept popping up in her head.
No Clue
It had now been a couple of months since Lyneth heard from either Allan or Jermaine. The police was trying with all its might to track down Lyneth’s baby boy but tasted no success. Lyneth was simply inconsolable.
Time kept turning and months turned into years. On her son’s 25th birthday, Lyneth found herself sitting in a corner and sobbing uncontrollably.
Only Had His Memories
Many different agencies had been trying to track down Jermaine but they all came empty-handed by the end of the day. The only clues Missing Children Society of Canada had been just a few photos and memories to remember Jermaine.
Lyneth’s misery would soon come to a screeching halt because there would be a surprising break in this longwinded and heartwrenching case.
The Search Goes On
Even in the US, resources were allocated to track down where Lyneth’s beloved son was. Authorities took the help of the Charley Project which is basically a database that logs every missing child or adult that might be in America.
But still, there wasn’t any concrete evidence to go on. Until one man decided to make it his own job.
Meet Ted Davis
Ted Davis was a retired police officer who had been working with the Missing Children Society of Canada for 30 years. He arranged a meeting with Lyneth to talk about her son.
Realizing the intensity of Lyneth’s grief, he swore that he’d find out what happened to her boy. The 30-year-old case was about to get cracked wide open!
A Break, Finally!
By the end of summer 2018, investigators had got in contact with numerous people who were close to Allan.
Some people suggested that Allan may have made his way 500 miles east of Toronto and might be residing in Connecticut. It was possibly the biggest clue they had gotten so far in this case.
A New Alias
Reportedly, Allan had formed a new name, a new alias, and a brand new identity.
Going by the name as Hailee Randolph DeSouza, the authorities knew that they were inching closer to find out what had happened to Jermaine. They finally found a match: an elderly man and aged man living in Vernon.
They Were A Match!
Just when they were about to solve the mystery, investigators enlisted forensic experts to help join the case. They examined the driver’s license photo that was on record for DeSouza’a’s son and guess what?
In October 2018, the team was finally able to confirm what they had all been hoping for: that DeSouza’s son and Jermaine were most probably the same! It was now time to nab Allan and investigate further.
Allan’s Arrest
The investigators soon got a tip-off that Allan often spent his time at the local KFC. Right after receiving this tip, investigators set off to the KFC ready to bring Allan to justice and make him pay for his crimes.
“This is the police,” screamed a police officer as they raced inside the KFC restaurant. The officers soon recognized Allan but there was still no sign of Jermaine.
Jermaine Was Living A Lie
Just when the police were about to handcuff Allan, they heard a voice. “Dad?” Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared out of the blue. It was Jermaine.
As it was later revealed, after fleeing from Canada, Allan acquired fake documents to settle down in Connecticut. Allan started working as a trucker and as an engineer, while Jermaine worked for the state. Little did Jermaine know that his whole life had been one big fat lie.
What Kind Of A Father Would Do This?
Allan later revealed that he told Jermaine that his mother had passed away during childbirth, but he was pretty ambiguous about the details.
As his father’s lies and deceitfulness came to light, Jermaine couldn’t help but think “What kind of a father would do this to his own son?”
The Call
Lyneth was absolutely speechless when she got off the phone with Ted. “We have successfully tracked down Jermaine.
Your baby boy is alive and well.” Ted informed Lyneth. Overwhelmed with a lot of emotions running in her head, Lyneth broke down into tears. She was soon going to see her baby boy again!
The Reunion
It didn’t take long for Lyneth to board a plane to Connecticut as she couldn’t wait to reunite with her long-lost son. Almost 30 years had passed since she last saw her baby boy. “What will he look like now?”
She kept thinking. Suddenly, a tall, dark figure appeared and started walking towards Lyneth. She instantly recognized the face and those big brown eyes. Her heart stopped – It was Jermaine!
Not Jermaine’s Fault
Squeezing each other tight, they refused to ever let go again. “I just thought it was sad for him to have done what he did,” Lyneth confessed. “You never take a child from its parent – no matter what.”
Lyneth is now also coming to terms with the fact that her son had a whole other life before she came back into the picture. “I have to respect the fact that he was a child; he didn’t know anything,” she explained.
Being Grateful
During a press conference, Lyneth also took the time to give special thanks to all those people who worked on the case.
She gave a special mention to the MCSC and the authorities on both sides of the border. She also hoped that her story might inspire other parents in her situation to never give up their faith.
Be Patient
“I am the proof that after 31 long years of suffering – 31 long years – one should never give up,” Lyneth explained.
“But be patient, be strong, and believe that all things are possible and that anything can transpire.”
Not So Normal Case
Experts claim that Jermaine’s disappearance is an exception to the rule in what is actually a surprisingly common crime.
“This is believed to be the longest case in North America – if possibly not the world – where an abducted child is reunited with a parent where they’re both in safe condition,” Banks explained.