Missing mum: Come home for daughter's sake plea

POLICE have appealed for a missing mum from Sri Lanka to come home for her daughters' sake.
Officers leading the hunt for Jayanthy Joseph, who has been missing since Sunday morning, made a fresh appeal for information yesterday.


Chief Inspector Phil Veitch, of Hartlepool Police, said they are concerned for the mum of two's welfare after she went missing without any personal belongings.

Her daughters Jeevitha, 16, and Neeraja Joseph, 15, who attend English Martyrs School, in Hartlepool, are being cared for by friends.

Chief Insp Veitch said: "Our main concern is that we trace her at the earliest opportunity and return her safe to her family. Her daughters are fit and well and being cared for. As far as they are concerned they want the safe return of their mum.

"She is a female living alone in a foreign country. Also we believe she is alone and has no personal effects on her, which heightens our concerns."

Mrs Joseph, who is about 5ft 5in with long dark hair, went missing on Sunday morning.

The last-known sighting of her was at her home in Huckelhoven Way at 10.30am on Sunday before her daughters left for church.

It is understood the family have been told their appeal to remain in the country has been turned down by immigration officials and they are facing deportation.

Officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries around her home and the coast supported by the force helicopter.

They are also studying CCTV footage of bus and railway stations and have also been in contact with her church.

Chief Insp Veitch also made a direct appeal to Mrs Joseph to get in touch.

He said: "We are appealing on behalf of her family that if she does read any of the press coverage in relation to this matter to contact police at the earliest opportunity.

"All we want to do is determine she is fit and well and return her to her family."

Anyone who may have seen Mrs Joseph or may have any information can contact Hartlepool Police on (01642) 302126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

By Mark Payne