Published: March 14, 2008 10:16 pm      

Family continues search for Roseland

CLINTON — The investigation continues into the disappearance of Ben Rose-land, 19, who has been missing since Feb. 9. Roseland, des-cribed by officials as a white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, was last seen by friends after leaving the 400 block of 10th Avenue South and heading for Hy-Vee. Roseland never arrived at the store, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Nearly five weeks after their last contact with him, family and friends of Roseland grow more desperate with every passing moment.

“Each day that goes by is worse,” said Ben’s mom, Theresa Roseland. “I’m extremely worried.”

Theresa stated she has been in contact with Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons, a non-profit organization that provides services to families with an older missing loved one, because she fears her son’s status as an adult may detract from the importance of the case. The agency is currently in the process of assisting the family in its search efforts.

“He’s right in that age group were so many of them don’t get looked for,” Theresa said.

Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell, stated that speculation and rumors circulating concerning Ben’s whereabouts, especially inaccurate reports of his return, are upsetting to his friends and family.

“It’s really hard to get our hopes up — it’s very distressing,” Connell said. “We just want to let people know that he has not been found, and we are still looking.”

Connell added that Roseland’s loved ones are thankful for the members of the community who have volunteered their time and effort to the search, and are especially grateful for the help of Hy-Vee, Clinton Printing, who donated fliers and the Clinton Police Department.

“The community’s concern is wonderful,” Connell said. “We’re happy people are willing to help, and we’re very touched by everyone who has come forward to help us search for Ben.”

Roseland’s family is asking Clinton residents to search their property for any clues to his whereabouts, and urges anyone with any details at all to come forward.

“We’re begging anyone to come forward if they know something they haven’t said, even if they don’t think it means anything,” Theresa said. “We’re hoping to find anything we can to figure out where he is.”

Family members report that they are refusing to give up hope, and another search party is being planned for Saturday. Those interested in helping are asked to meet in the Hy-Vee parking lot at 11 a.m.

“I want to say to Ben, we love you, and we want to know where you are… call us,” said Roseland’s sister, Audra. “We’ll try to stay strong until we know for sure what happened.”