Missing NJ Teen Case Shows Urgent Need For Youth Outreach: Mayor

EAST ORANGE, NJ — The evolving case of a teen who allegedly ran away from home in East Orange – and the accusations of abuse against her mother – has caused heartache for an entire community. And the incident has exposed an urgent need to reach out to young people and ensure their “cries for help” don’t go unanswered, the city’s mayor says.

The disappearance of Jashyah Moore, 14, of East Orange, set off a massive search from local, state and federal authorities, as well as a fevered community effort to find her. The search paid off, prosecutors announced Friday; Moore was safely located in a New York City shelter.

"The young lady appears to have run away," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said, adding that she apparently "did not want to make herself known."

Since then, Moore’s mother – Jamie A. Moore, 39 – has been charged with two counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child. The endangering charges include allegations of physical abuse and neglect, police said.

• See related article: NJ Mom Accused Of Abusing 'Runaway' East Orange Teen

On Tuesday, East Orange Mayor Ted Green released a statement about the ongoing investigation, noting that when the teen was found, the city “breathed a collective sigh of relief.”

Green wrote:

“I want to first express my thanks to the East Orange Police Division, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office for leaving no stone unturned during this investigation. Also, thank you to the NYPD, all of our partnering agencies throughout the state, and every single person who searched, supported recovery efforts or shared information about Jashyah’s whereabouts.”

The mayor continued:

“East Orange … Jashyah is our daughter, our sister, our granddaughter and our neighbor. The details and allegations surrounding her disappearance are troubling and have exposed the urgency of bridging the gap between our young people and them accessing the resources they need. In addition to our School Peer Counseling Certification Program in collaboration with Seton Hall University, and our Recreation and Safe Haven P.A.L. Programs, we are also creating a 24/7 communications platform that will be available to all children in crisis. No cry for help should ever go unanswered.”

“Once again, we are grateful for Jashyah’s safe return and now we are focused on the recovery and healing of her entire family,” Green said.

Green listed some local service providers that young people can reach out to if they’re in need of help. They included:

• Isaiah House, 238 N. Munn Avenue, East Orange (973) 678-5882 • www.isaiahhouse.org
• Essex County GLBT Rain Foundation, 168 N. Park Street, East Orange (973) 675-6780 • www.essexlgbthousing.org
• New Jersey Child Abuse Hotline - 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873), 24 hours a day - 7 days a week
• 2ND FLOOR YOUTH HELPLINE - 1-888-222-2228, www.2ndfloor.org, 24 hours a day - 7 days a week

Green added that the city is in the process of creating a 24-7 hotline for children in crisis that would work in sync with existing services and resources within the East Orange area. The hotline is expected to be operational within the next few weeks.

HOLIDAY DONATION DRIVE

Green and the East Orange City Council are hosting a Holiday Community Collection for Jashyah Moore and her 3-year-old brother.

“We want for Jashyah and her brother to know that people near and far are wishing them nothing but peace, happiness, and love this holiday season and every day forward,” Green said.

Officials said that anyone who would like to donate a new toy or clothes to the siblings can either drop off or mail their gift to: East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, Attn: Jashyah Moore Collection, Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until Friday, December 17.

Jashyah wears a medium/large in women’s and a size 7.5 women’s shoe. Her brother wears 5T-6T and a size 10 toddler’s shoe, officials said.

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