Two days after the Jamaica Observer reported the disappearance of 19-year-old Chismar “CJ” Josephs, he was reunited with his mother after being found safe and sound in Brown’s Town, St Ann, more than 45 miles from his rural St Andrew home.

On January 2 when the Observer published CJ’s story he had been missing for eight days as his mother, Esteleta Cunningham, had last seen him about 11:30 pm on Christmas Day at a shop in their small Lacey district near Cavaliers, Stony Hill, St Andrew.

The mother had been extremely worried for her son as he is schizophrenic.

Cunningham had told the Observer that due to his condition, CJ had wandered off before and would be gone for two/three days at a time — but never for as long as eight days.

However, her fears were allayed on Tuesday when she received a call from Caroline Needham, the Good Samaritan who had been caring for CJ since he reached out to her for assistance, three days after Christmas Day — the very day he was reported missing.

Cunningham could not contain her joy as she heaped praises on God and Needham for helping her to locate her son. She also thanked the Observer for its role in reuniting her with her son.

The grateful mother said that when Needham contacted her on Tuesday to let her know her son was safe, she asked to speak to CJ on the woman’s phone. According to Cunningham, when she heard CJ said “Mummy” she was beside herself with elation.

She said she asked her son what he was doing so far from home and he said he had lost his way.

But the expectation of seeing CJ again was delayed on Tuesday as she had difficulties getting transportation to St Ann. She said a taxi man was charging her $20,000 for her transit, which she could not afford.

She eventually secured transportation via the help of people from her community and the reunion happened some time after 6:00 pm on Wednesday.

It was a teary-eyed, yet joyous affair as Cunningham tightly embraced her son — nine days after she last saw him and two days before his birthday on January 5.

Needham, who stayed with CJ until his mother arrived, told the Observer that she immediately took him under her care after he approached her saying that he was weak and hungry

She said she bought him a box of food and a cup of tea, and continued to care for him in the ensuing days, also providing him with clothing and toiletries. Needham said while CJ was mainly staying on the street by a market, she also took him home on three occasions so that he could have a shower.

The 59-year-old Needham said she cared for CJ and protected him as if he was her grandson. She even told people that he was her grandson to ensure that he would not be harmed.

“Him drop in good hands,” said Needham as she told the Observer that she quickly realised that “him head go and come”.

According to Needham, she quickly grew fond of CJ and was prepared to take him in.

She was, however, discouraged from doing so by people she confided in, who reasoned that she did not know his background or his tendencies.

Needham noted, however, that she was overjoyed when someone informed her on Tuesday that they had seen the Observer story on CJ. She said she immediately bought a copy of the paper and retrieved the number the family had asked the public to call.

CJ’s mother said she is extremely grateful to Needham who did not hesitate to continue to care for him for another day as she sorted out her transportation issues. Needham had taken CJ to Brown’s Town Police Station to await his mother’s arrival on Tuesday.

“That lady is a blessing. She was sent from God,” Cunningham said, saying she wishes she could repay her for her very kind gesture.

Cunningham said she would now take her son to his doctor so that he can resume taking his medication.

She also called on the Government to provide her with support for her son, noting that she had reached out for help before but was unsuccessful.