BRATTLEBORO — It is day 18, and no one knows where 17-year-old Marble Arvidson has gone.
Marble's mother, Sigrid Arvidson, just wants her son back.
“I've already forgiven anyone for anything that might have happened to Marble; just please tell us what is going on and help us to get him home,” she said.
Last seen the day before Hurricane Irene struck, Marble greeted a male of unknown origin at his home that afternoon, left a note on the kitchen table saying he would be back in 30 minutes, and has not been seen or heard from again.
“It's frustrating, because we don't know how he left,” says Trish Kittredge, Marble's aunt. “Was he in a car, bicycle, on foot? We don't know. It would help so much to gain more information to direct our search more effectively.”
Arvidson is not considered a runaway and is classified with the Brattleboro Police Department and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a missing person. Police have been checking Marble's cell phone and computer records and are following up on all new leads.
A $1,000 reward has been established for any information leading to the youth's return.
“We are hoping that reward money will inspire someone to be courageous and speak up about any information that they may have,” says Kittredge.
She emphasizes that “no one is in trouble, we'd just really appreciate the person who last saw Marble to come forward, or anyone else who might know who that person is. We welcome all information. It will give us more direction for our search.”
This Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, a large-scale ground search will comb the area where Marble lives in West Brattleboro.
Kathy Pothier, another of Marble's aunts, is helping to coordinate the event.
“People will meet at The Chelsea Royal Diner and will be directed from there and given maps of the area they are to cover as well as call-back times so that we know all the teams we send out return safely,” she said. “There will be multiple locations for the general public to assist with searches.”
Another volunteer asset is the Eagle Valley K-9 unit, based in New York state, which has begun its ongoing effort.
Pothier stressed that hikers/volunteers must be mindful of basic safety rules and urged them to wearing safe shoes such as sneakers or hiking boots instead of flip-flops;to plan for the weather and dress accordingly; and to bring GPS units, whistles, cell phones, water and snacks.
Due to the nature of the search, volunteers must be at least 18 years old, but younger volunteers are welcomed to assist with including hanging posters, sitting at the information table outside the Brattleboro Co-op, and canvassing areas for information.
Volunteers of any age can also assist at the hiking locations, offering water and snacks to volunteers.
Local businesses and individuals willing to donate food, water or dollars to help defray the costs of the search and the posters are also welcomed.
Tips can be phoned to the Brattleboro Police at (802) 257-7946, e-mailed, or mailed to P.O. Box 882, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
More information is available on the “Find Marble” Facebook group or on the effort's website.