Little Nori Mays was only four years old when her mother tasked her with waking up her stepsister Celina for breakfast. Upon entering Celina’s room, Nori discovered a neatly made bed with pillows cleverly arranged under the sheets to give the illusion that someone was still in bed. Celina Mays, who was only 12 years old and nine months pregnant at the time, had mysteriously vanished overnight.
Despite nearly three decades passing with no sign of Celina or her unborn child, Nori, now 33, remains unwavering in her quest to find her missing sister. The events leading up to Celina’s disappearance on December 16, 1996, revealed that her father, Crezonzo ‘C.J’ Mays, had confronted her about revealing the identity of her baby’s father, to which Celina adamantly refused.
Speculation and theories surrounding Celina’s disappearance abounded due to the lack of concrete evidence. Some wondered if Celina had fled before a paternity test could be conducted on her baby, while others considered the possibility of abduction despite no signs of forced entry or struggle in her room.
Celina was being raised in a strict environment within the Gospel of Christ Ministries church in Mount Holly, New Jersey, by her father and stepmother Evette Mays. Allegations surfaced about the church’s practices, including claims of exerting control over its members. Nori described the church as operating like a cult, with her family feeling trapped within its confines.
The strain between Celina’s family and law enforcement during the initial investigation hindered progress, with Nori believing her late father was unfairly treated. Seeking closure, Nori hopes that her sister, now 41 years old, and her potential 28-year-old child, can finally be located, possibly aided by the theory that Celina’s birth mother orchestrated her escape from the church.
Detective Monica Pogorzelski of the Willingboro Police Department has taken charge of the ongoing investigation into Celina’s perplexing case. Despite the passage of 27 years, the case remains active, with authorities expressing hope that Celina and her child may still be alive. The commitment to uncovering the truth persists, aiming to provide Celina’s family with the answers they seek.
