The small community of Wales, Manchester, is deeply saddened following the disappearance of 12-year-old Jayden Thompson, a first-form student at Manchester High. Known for his quiet demeanour, helpful nature, and academic promise, Jayden was last seen at Little Caesar’s restaurant in Mandeville last Friday. Family, friends, and school staff have been actively searching and praying for his safe return, while neighbours express concern and hope for any information that could lead to locating the young student.

‘Please send him home'

Distressed guardians plea for return of missing Manchester 12-year-old

Jamaica Gleaner/29 Sep 2025/Tanesha Mundle/staff Reporter

THE DISTRAUGHT guardians of missing Manchester High student Jayden Thompson were up to late yesterday pleading for his safe return, clinging to hope as the days pass with no sign of the 12-year-old.

“Wi no waa find no body. Any way dem can lef’ him, please, please, ‘cause we know say people make mistake and the world no nice, so me would just ask somebody,” said his uncle-in-law Omar Thompson, who, along with his wife, Ann-marie, has reared Jayden since he was six years old at their home in Wales, Manchester.

“Please just send him home,” the couple chorused.

“If Jayden hear, just come home,” his aunt Ann-marie appealed during an emotional interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

Jayden, a first-form student at Manchester High School, has been missing since last Friday. He was last seen at the Little Caesar’s restaurant in Mandeville that afternoon in the company of his schoolmates.

According to CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, Jayden entered the restaurant, bought food, and lingered for some time. He was seen giving his umbrella to a friend, and reportedly told

others he was waiting for a cousin. However, according to his aunt, that cousin had not attended school that day and was unaware of any such plans.

Later reports claimed that Jayden was seen walking with another student and a woman passing by Master Mac supermarket on Friday afternoon. Neither the woman nor the other student has been identified, and there have been no confirmed sightings since.

The Thompsons shared that, just the day before his disappearance, Jayden had been involved in an unfortunate accident at home. He was playing with his two-year-old cousin when the toddler fell and broke his hip.

Mrs Thompson recalled last seeing Jayden Thursday night when he left her at the hospital following the incident. When asked how he felt about what had happened, she said, “Honestly, I did not know.”

She said he had not expressed himself or appeared upset.

Still, she wondered aloud whether he might have been feeling guilty.

“But me a say, with the spirit wey dem say Jayden have a school on Friday, and when the camera pick him, he was just running. He never looked like him sad,” she added.

She and her husband emphasised that Jayden had not been scolded for the accident.

“I just cautioned him to be more gentle while playing with the younger children,” Mr Thompson said, noting that the younger ones are always drawn to Jayden.

Holding back tears, Mr Thompson recalled dropping Jayden off at the bus stop on Friday morning after giving him his lunch money.

“I told him if he can’t be good, he should at least be careful,” he said. “A one a di hardest time mi a go through. Fi mi son down a yard no willing like Jayden, so when yuh see me a cry, me naa cry ‘cause me a force nothing. Me just cya understand ... mi cya manage it, man, trust mi.”

His wife, equally distraught, added, “Whole night Friday I was up crying. At this point, me nuh have nuh tears left.”

When Jayden didn’t return home Friday evening, the Thompsons became alarmed. They repeatedly called his phone, but got no answer. On returning to the house, they found his room dark and untouched – his school bag and uniform were missing.

Despite filing a missing person report with the police, the family expressed frustration with what they described as a lacklustre response from some members of the Mandeville police. They said they even had to check locations such as KFC themselves after receiving a prank call claiming Jayden had been seen there.

The couple described Jayden as obedient, hard-working, quiet, and humble. He has an impressive academic record, having graduated from primary school as the top male performer in the Primary Exit Profile exams, earning a $15,000 award before entering Manchester High.

THEIR ‘WASH BELLY’

Though not their biological son, the Thompsons said Jayden is loved and treated like one of their own, even calling him their “wash belly”, as he is a year younger than their youngest biological child.

“Jayden had his own room, his own space. He was comfortable. He was loved, very loved,” said Mrs Thompson.

She described him as always eager to help, especially with the younger children and animals around the home.

“Nobody had to tell Jayden what to do. He knew how to tie the goats, clean up his room, take care of things. He was like a little man already,” she said.

Despite reporting him missing the very night he disappeared, the family said most of the search efforts have been left up to them.

Since Friday night, the Thompsons have barely slept. Mrs Thompson said she found herself standing by the window, hoping Jayden might just walk in late.

“Mi stand up and mi listen. Just hoping fi hear him. But nothing. Saturday come, still nothing. Now is Sunday, and mi can’t even function,” she said. “Mi feel like mi heart a tear in two.”

Jayden’s siblings – both at home and overseas – have also been affected, with the normally lively household now quiet and heavy with worry.

‘GREAT POTENTIAL’

Community members, too, have expressed concern.

Jason Williamson, seen at a local car wash, broke down in tears speaking about the missing teen.

“The whole community is worried. We just want him to come back safely,” he said.

Manchester High School principal Jasford Gabriel said the school community is actively searching and praying for Jayden’s safe return.

“Jayden just started Manchester High School. Jayden is also part of our cadet unit. Brilliant young man with a great future, great potential – more on the quiet side,” said Gabriel.

He described Friday as a “typical day”for Jayden, with no indications of distress or trouble.

“That’s why it kind of took us by surprise. We’re not aware of any particular circumstance from a school standpoint that would have been affecting him,” he added.

Jayden is described as being of dark complexion, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and of slim build. He was last seen wearing his Manchester High School uniform.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alligator Pond police at 876-224-3113, the 119 police emergency number, or the nearest police station.

Efforts to reach Manchester’s commanding officer, Superintendent Carey Duncan, for an update were unsuccessful.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.