MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1996-1
Celina Janette Mays
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Willingboro, New Jersey
Summary:
Celina was nine months pregnant at the time of her 1996 disappearance. Her baby was due around December 29th of that year. Celina was last seen at approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 15, 1996 when she went to bed at her aunt's residence on Crestview Drive in Willingboro, New Jersey. Her father, C.J. Mays, checked her room the following morning and discovered that Celina was missing and pillows had been placed under her blankets in her bed to give the appearance that she was sleeping. There was no sign of Celina, who left her prenatal vitamins, purse and other personal belongings behind. She has never been heard from again. Willingboro Police Department: 609-877-2253
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Celina lived with her father, stepmother and several other relatives at the time of her 1996 disappearance. C.J. was employed as an accountant and bookkeeper for the Gospel of Christ Ministries Inc., based in Mount Holly, New Jersey. His sister, Cerita Smith, was pastor of the church and the Mays family raised Celina as a member. Celina was home-schooled and grew up with strict religious beliefs from the organization. C.J. maintains that Celina did not leave her home because of problems with her religion.
Additional Details:
C.J. believes that his daughter planned her disappearance, mainly because he threatened to have paternity tests performed to learn the identity of her unborn child's father. Officials said that C.J. was uncooperative in his Celina's disappearance; they have lost touch with him in the years since Celina vanished.
Case Last Updated:
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