Middletown Mom Pleads: Help Me Find My Son

Middletown, NJ - As many of you may recall, John Paul Fernandez, a 22-year-old who was raised in Middletown Township and graduated from Middletown North, went missing on Dec. 13 of last year. He was last seen at his family's home on Kentucky Avenue. His cell phone was then found on the side of Rt. 36 near Natco Lake in Hazlet, prompting a massive police search that even involved rescue divers combing the murky waters of Natco Lake.

Fernandez, 22, remains missing. In the months since his disappearance, the Fernandez family has searched Allaire State Park, the Henry Hudson Trail and throughout the state looking for John Paul — or "JP"/"Japes," as they called him.

His mother, Ninia Fernandez, sent out an emotional plea Tuesday. She gave Patch permission to publish this poster and reprint a letter she wrote to her son. "Please share. We want as many people to see this as possible," Ninia said. Earlier this year, she told a Filipino- American news organization JP had been a victim of bullying at Middletown High School North, from which he would arrive home with his shirt torn and spat on. At the time of his disappearance, JP was studying accounting at Seton Hall University. Ninia also told the Filipino newspaper her son left a six-page suicide letter when he vanished, but his body has not been found.

Here is here letter:

Dear JP, Day 293:

How do I feel today? Indescribable. I haven't stopped crying for you.

Two weeks ago Papa and I went out to Philadelphia to look for you. We searched libraries, bridges, shelters, train stations. We were hoping for a miracle to happen.

We found ourselves in The L stop in Pennsylvania, at the corner of Kensington and Alleghany. Little did we know that the person that said there was a sighting of you in that area was a drug dealer. The L stop was Zombie Land! It was out of our comfort zone but then again we were not scared. Our goal was to find you. We went home empty handed but remaining hopeful.

Last week, I got a call from the detective. I was in a meeting when she called and I had to step out. Information about you takes top priority. It was news about remains found in Palisades park. It was not you. I started to cry and shake. It was difficult for me to gain composure. No words could ever describe how I felt that day.

I asked myself if this will be my new "norm"? So far, this is the 7th call from the authorities that I have received about finding remains, a few being compared to you. The worst one was when I was told that your obtaining your dental records were in the essence of time. That one felt like a heart attack. I cried a lot,I thought I was going to lose it. Confirmation that it wasn't you took 4 days. I didn't know whether I should grieve but then again I have to be strong for your sisters. Deep down inside me, I knew it wasn't you. The roller coaster of emotions is difficult to bear. Will I die early or will I be strong for You and your siblings? I choose the latter! WE ARE NOT GIVING UP ON YOU.

I find Cindy crying a lot for you these past few days. She misses you dearly. She misses you doing the car shuffle and you helping her out with her homework. She misses the songs that you like to play. Honey misses your voice, your opposing statements. She finds herself saying "JP would like that." She starts to cry when we talk about you. I could not help your sisters. I also could not hep myself going through this.

Please find it in your heart to reach out to us. I love you and I can't wait for my Hallelujah moment: the day thatI hear your voice again.

With lots of love,
Mama

P.S. To all my friends and family in FB, please share this post and flyer. I am hopeful that by this time, someone has seen him already.

Anyone with information about JP is asked to call (908) 902-3129 or email kejefe@gmail.com. Detective Kelly Godley, of the Middletown Police Department, has been assigned as the lead detective on his case. You can reach her at (732) 615-2120. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.