JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Families of more than a dozen local missing people gathered Friday at the Florida Missing Adults Day ceremony in Jacksonville City Hall to honor their loved ones.
Friday’s ceremony featured several speakers, including many family members who are still looking for answers.
“Bring him home,” John Rowan Sr. said.
The ceremony included a beautiful poem, a pledge and a prayer.
Watch the full ceremony in the video below:
Benny Battle Jr.’s family has been searching for him since he disappeared in Dixie County in 2019.
“We’re not giving up,” said Elizabeth Battle, Benny’s mother, said.
Elizabeth said all she asks for is peace.
“Somebody knows what happened, somebody knows where my son is at,” Elizabeth said.
For some, they have been waiting for answers for decades.
Peg Rowan’s son, John Rowan Jr., has been missing since 2001 in Jacksonville. She’s been organizing the event for the past 14 years.
“It just never goes away. There’s no moving on when your loved one is not found. I never realized so many people suffered the same pain as I do and live with it 24/7,” Peg said.
The families come to each other for support, and they have a lot of resources.
The room was filled with detectives, prosecutors, public officials, and nonprofits — promising to do what they could to bring justice.
Valerie Santisteban vanished in 2020 from Jacksonville.
“We just need some news about her. Something, anything,” Adriana Borbon, Santisteban’s mom, said.
While Florida Missing Adults Day is only once a year, these families grieve every day. That’s why there’s now a memorial across from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Jacksonville, a large Celtic cross honoring those who are missing.
If you have any information about any of these missing persons cases, call the local sheriff’s office or First Coast Crime Stoppers.
Crime Stoppers’ number is 866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.