Clinton teen has been missing for 6 months

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By Thomas Geyer | Saturday, August 9, 2008 12:52 AM CDT | () comments

Today marks six months since 19-year-old Benjamin Roseland was last seen by

family or friends.

The Clinton teen left a friend’s apartment Feb. 9 to walk a few blocks to a Hy-Vee store to get a snack before going to bed. But Roseland never made it to the store, nor back to his friend’s apartment nor to his own home.

He hasn’t been seen or heard from since. While his family is not giving up hope that he returns safe and sound, the pressure and need for closure is great.

“We’re hoping he comes back safe,” said Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell. “If that’s not meant to be, we hope we find him so we can have closure.”

Connell said the family is using every means available to find Benjamin.

Roseland’s story is now on the Web site ProjectJason.org, a non-profit organization created to increase public awareness of missing people through various outreach and educational activities.

Connell said Project Jason has given her helpful ideas.

According to the organization’s Web site, Target Media Partners works with Project Jason to provide help for families of the missing by publishing the photos and information for each featured campaign in their monthly magazines, “Through the Gears” and “Independent Contractor.” These publications can be found at businesses and truck stops nationwide.

Connell said Roseland’s story is being published in a September issue of at least one of these publications.

“So much has happened since Ben disappeared,” she said. “Ben’s grandmother, Jeannette Hopkins, passed away June 10. His niece will have her first birthday Aug. 28.”

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were each very hard, she added.

They family is working on building a reward for information about Roseland’s whereabouts, Connell said.

Roseland’s mother, Theresa, said Clinton police are still working the case.

“I guess he (the detective assigned the case) is going back in the case a bit and reinvestigating some things,” Theresa Roseland said Friday. “But nothing new has developed. I talked to them again today. Hopefully something happens there. But nothing’s moving

on it.

At the time of his disappearance, Roseland wore camouflage coveralls.

Anyone with information about Roseland is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.

Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.

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