A petition by “concerned citizens, members of the diaspora, and the global community” launched on the Jamaica House online portal for missing Manchester High School student Jayden Smith will close on February 28, with just one signature registered so far.

The “urgent appeal and petition” demands a clear and consolidated update on the disappearance of the then 12-year-old, a first-form student who has been missing since Friday, September 26, 2025.

The petitioners in the appeal, which has been mounted since December 3 last year, said while there is a recognition that the island has been dealing with the “immense fallout” from the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28 last year, “the search for a missing child cannot be suspended or ignored amidst any national crisis”.

“Our resolve to find Jayden has only strengthened as we navigate the post-hurricane devastation, where children are even more vulnerable,” said the petition, which names Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake, Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, and Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

According to the lobbyists, the public’s confidence in the investigation is being eroded by several critical issues, including conflicting accounts and unverified claims.

The petitioners had called for a “comprehensive public update from the relevant authorities by November 22, 2025”, which was the eve of Jayden’s birthday.

“We believe the public deserves clarity and reassurance that all is being done to find Jayden,” they said.

“We demand decisive action, accountability, and answers, not only for Jayden Smith but for every missing child in Jamaica,” signed, “sincerely, concerned citizens, the Jamaican diaspora, and the global community“.

Since Smith’s disappearance, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has utilised drones from its specialised operations unmanned aerial vehicle unit, cadaver dogs from its canine unit, and personnel from its missing person’s desk as well as Newport Police Station to comb Jayden’s family home and surrounding areas. That search yielded no results.

In January, the Manchester Police said they had exhausted all efforts in locating Jayden Smith.

According to the Jamaica House petition policy, any Jamaican citizen can create or sign a petition. For a petition to qualify for review it must have 15,000 signatures in 40 days. If it complies with agreed standards, the Office of the Prime Minister will issue an official response.

All petitions are reviewed before being published on the portal. If they do not meet the terms of participation, they are not published.