'The Gleaner gave me back my son' - Father reunites with son after story published last week

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

When he visited the offices of The Gleaner's Western Bureau last week, building contractor Walton Dunstan was on the verge of tears. He had not seen or heard anything about his son Shemar since the child's mother took him away from the Catherine Hall Primary School in St James in early May 2010.

In his story, published in last week's Western Focus, Dunstan made a plea for anyone with information on his son or the child's mother, Nicola Oniki Grant, to contact him.

On Monday morning, Dunstan again visited The Gleaner's Western Bureau, but this time around, the look of anguish was gone. In its place was a broad smile, which made him look a few years younger than he had the previous week.

"I have good news for you," said a beaming Dunstan. "I have found my boy! He is in the United States. They (his mother and aunt) read the Gleaner story online and called me Sunday morning … . I got to speak to my son … . I told him how much I loved him, and he told me how much he missed me."

RAN OUT OF OPTIONS

In the three years, Dunstan said he tried everything - from contacting Grant's family to seeking assistance from the local police and the US State Department - but all to no avail.

"The Gleaner came through for me … . I have to big up The Gleaner … . The Gleaner gave me back by son," said the elated Dunstan. "When I came to The Gleaner, I had run out of options and was really desperate. Thank God for The Gleaner!"

While he is unsure as to when he will have a physical reunion with his son, Dunstan said just being able to speak to him on the telephone lifted a big burden off his shoulder.

"When I heard his voice, I was overwhelmed," said Dunstan "When he said, 'Daddy! I miss you, Daddy, and I am longing to see you', I could hardly contain my joy."

According to Dunstan, his son expressed a desire to come and see him this summer, and while he is unsure of his immigration status, he said he was prepared to do whatever it took to facilitate his son's wish.

"I can now sleep in peace again," said Dunstan. "All that is now left for me is to see him and touch him again … . When I last saw him, he was 10 years old, so he must have grown a bit since then.

"When the child's mother left the island for the United States in 2009 and did not return, I had sole custody of my son," said Dunstan. "When she came and took him away from school, I was not even aware she was in the island."