Tonight, there’s a developing and deeply concerning story out of western Belize. A desperate search is underway for thirteen-year-old Lizzie Suntecum, a primary school student who vanished from the San Jose Roman Catholic School compound on Monday afternoon. Lizzie, who was supposed to remain on campus for the school feeding program, reportedly told a friend her aunt would be picking her up just before one p.m. But when she didn’t return to class, the school quickly alerted her family. Lizzie and two of her siblings make the daily cross-border journey from Melchor to attend school in San Jose Succotz, a routine that’s common in the area, but one that adds a complex layer to this already troubling situation. Her mother is from Melchor, while her father’s family lives in Succotz. We spoke with Lizzie’s grandmother by phone earlier today. Here’s what she had to say.
“We went to see the principal what happened and the principal say they don’t know nothing, only the children saying that she told a student that at twelve forty-five her aunt will come and get her. When the teacher noticed she hadn’t come in class, the principal call the mom and from hat time we hear she disappeared. I know there is a warden and the school has camera and they say that they don’t see her. Only the students saying that she told her that 12:45 her aunt will come and get her, but she don’t have any aunt, only the man have an aunt in San Felipe named Sandra and she was around this weekend. I don’t know if she takes her.”
Paul Lopez
“And the school since they have a warden and cameras, you suspect they would have seen when she left the campus?”
On the Phone: Oralia Rosado
“The principal knows that the children in the feeding program they don’t go out from school, they stay there. How they will not know what happened. The person that has her, please release her. We are desperate. Thank you.”
This afternoon the family was informed that Lizzie was seen using the restroom at Westrac in Roaring Creek Village. They have since made their way to the business establishment to request surveillance footage. We will continue to follow.