'Religious leader sends message to missing girl's parents- 'She will not return'

THE head of a religious organisation believed to be a cult has sent a message to the parents of missing 16- year- old Shindlar "Sherene" Cuffy. He said their daughter will not return, and they should stop blaming her for the teen’s disappearance.

“That child you were given is not your property, she was loaned to you by God.” The woman who has a foreign accent and goes by the name ‘Mother Clare’ said in an audio clip which she said named ‘A letter addressed to Rainbow’s parents’.

Cuffy is believed to have been lured into a cult and her name renamed Rainbow. In the audio, the woman said she is not the teen’s God, but she was the one who saved her. “She is alive and she will not return.”

The woman continued, “Dear parents, she still loves you and wants to be connected but not living under your roof. On September14, 2002, a beautiful child was born to you do you remember? Even though she bears the stigma of being an albino, God has put in her an extraordinary heart.” the woman said.

She said her hope, in reading this letter, is to open the eyes and hearts of not only Cuffy’s parents, but parents everywhere to see their children in a new light.

“Your daughter is not a child anymore. Please don’t waste your time blaming others and me. Rainbow is happy. She is now entering adulthood,”

‘Clare’ said in Trinidad and Tobago law, ‘a 16 -year- old can be released from her family and into the care of an adult over 18 years who is responsible. And Rainbow now has someone like that,”

The woman added, “ I am not Rainbow’s Lord, Jesus is, and he speaks to her and shows her many things. He is the one who directed me to write the letter to you,”

She ended the message to the parents saying, “And let me just clarify to you. We are not a cult. I am a Christian pastor who reaches out to help people.”

The audio was released on January 2 by what appeared to be a "religious" group titled Still Small Voice which is headed by Clare.

After listening to the audio, Cuffy’s mother Shondel Shallow broke down in tears “I just don’t know what to do again. These people took away my daughter and I feel so helpless. They have brainwashed my little girl and are continuing to spread lies of abuse which is not true. Why are they doing this to us? Oh God no,” Shallow cried uncontrollably.

In tears, she said, “Please please just send my daughter back home. She is only a child, please please I am begging you please release my little girl.” Shallow cried uncontrollably.

Last year November 26, Cuffy and her mother walked to Southern Main Road, Claxton Bay, where she left in an AD wagon to go to school. She did not show up for classes and that was the last time anyone saw the form five student.

On Christmas Eve, while tidying Cuffy’s bedroom, Shallow found a handwritten letter from her daughter which said the Lord sent her on a mission and she must obey.

Police are still reviewing the audio clips to find clues to help them find the missing girl. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit are investigating.