Police Search Salem, Lynn And Swampscott For Missing Mother
BOSTON (CBS) - State and local police are searching Salem, Lynn and Swampscott for a young mother who has not been seen by friends or family since last Thursday.
Jaimee Mendez, 25, of Swampscott, was last heard from on the evening of November 6 and was reported missing to Swampscott Police on Saturday morning, according to the Essex District Attorney's Office.
"Law enforcement officials are using NEMLEC canine units, MSP Airwing and other assets to search for Ms. Mendez in various locations in Salem, Lynn and Swampscott," Carrie Kimball-Monahan, the spokesperson for the D.A., said in a statement Tuesday.
Mendez has a 5-year-old son with autism and her family says she would never leave him for this long. She also has diabetes.
Her sister Alyssa Mendez told WBZ-TV Jamiee called two friends Thursday, saying she felt uncomfortable with the man she was with that night. Her family says they've learned that man is a known sex offender.
"She said, 'listen I'm on this street I'm with this guy, he's making me really nervous, I want to get out of here,'" Alyssa Mendez said. "[Her friend] went to go pick up her up, she never showed, and her phone was off. That's the last anyone ever heard of her."
Alyssa Mendez said she spoke with the man her sister was with the night she disappeared.
"He had scratches on his face, he had scratches on his hands," Alyssa Mendez said. "It just didn't make sense, his story."
The family said Jaimee Mendez's jacket, cellphone, phone charger and ID were found in an industrial area next to some woods last weekend. Later, they said Jaimee Mendez's mother made another disturbing discovery in a dumpster at a CVS in Lynn: Jaimee Mendez's sneakers, some men's clothing and part of a rug.
"This is a fluid investigation focused on locating Ms. Mendez. We are unable to comment or confirm information related to possible evidence that may have been found, identify suspects or discuss specific search locations as that may hamper the investigation," Kimball-Monahan said.
Police were later seen searching a dumpster near the man's home in Lynn Tuesday afternoon. A minivan was also towed away from the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call Swampscott Police at 781-595-1111.
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