By Rebecca Boysen
Herald Staff Writer
November 21, 2008 11:21 am
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CLINTON — For the first time since her only son went missing in February, Theresa Roseland made the mistake of getting her hopes up.
After posters of her son, Ben Roseland, were recently placed in locations across the country by 18-Wheel Angels, an organization made up of truck drivers who volunteer their time to help families find their missing loved ones, Theresa received a call at home from a man in Redding, Calif., who thought he might have spotted the missing teen.
According to Theresa, the man was “80 percent sure” that the boy he had seen on the street begging for money was the one he had seen on Ben’s missing poster. The teen has not been seen since Feb. 9, when he left a friend’s home on 10th Avenue South to get something to eat at Hy-Vee.
The Redding sighting resulted in a 10-day manhunt coordinated by Clinton police and authorities in California, but the search came up empty.
“For those 10 days she had such high hopes that maybe Ben was alive and OK,” said Theresa’s sister-in-law, Julie Connell. “It was absolutely devastating when it turned out to be nothing.”
Theresa confirms that she will not make the same mistake again.
“That was the one time since this all started that I let myself get my hopes up, so that was very difficult,” Theresa said. “I need to just stay steady, like I have been, and not get my hopes up about anything until concrete proof is here.”
According to Theresa, the posters placed by the 18-Wheel Angels have resulted in four possible sightings in four different states, but nothing has turned up. She says Clinton police continue to investigate leads, but no real progress has been made in the case.
“It’s not knowing that is the worst,” Theresa said. “Everybody is so upset, family members can’t sleep. Everybody is just hanging in limbo.”
Theresa has begun to accept the fact that Ben may no longer be alive, and says family members are working to bring in teams to the area that could help locate any remains.
“You want to believe that he’s wandering around and doesn’t know where he is, but it doesn’t look that way,” Theresa said. “At least it will give us closure, and we’ll know where he is.”
Theresa feels the last people to see Ben alive may know more than they have reported, and she urges his friends to contact law enforcement with any information.
“We need someone to speak up, because somebody’s got to know something,” Theresa said. “I want them to quit being afraid, and do what they know is right in their heart, and speak up and tell the truth.”
Theresa suggests that anonymous calls can also be made to Clinton County Crime Stoppers at 242-6595.
The family has organized a candlelight vigil for tomorrow in honor of Ben’s 20th birthday, which is Nov. 24. The vigil will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, located at 316 S. Fourth St. Community members are encouraged to attend to support the family, and honor Ben on his birthday.
“We’re praying that the vigil is well attended because it makes the family feel like the community cares, and it’s a really good feeling for (Ben’s parents) Jim and Theresa,” Connell said. “We’re very grateful for all the help we’ve gotten from the community, and we want to keep up public awareness.”
Connell states that candles will be available at the vigil, and the family has chosen songs to be sung by the group. Gerry Herrity will be on-hand to read a special poem selected by the family, and Mayor Rodger Holm is also slated to say a few words.
“We’re praying that wherever Ben is, he is celebrating his 20th birthday,” Connell said. “We’re having this vigil because we’re thinking about him, and wherever he may be, we want him to know that we haven’t forgotten about him.”
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