A DISTRAUGHT mum whose son disappeared from a kids’ crisis care centre more than two months ago will tomorrow launch a private search for the vulnerable youngster after cops stood down their efforts.
Viktoria Benga has been left heartbroken and “puzzled” after Aleksandr “vanished into thin air” from the grounds of Lews Castle amid brutal -9C temperatures in Stornoway, Lewis, on November 18.
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A frantic search was launched including over 50 coastguards and police teams.
But after the hunt for Aleksandr came up empty, police wrapped up physical searches in December – leaving his heartbroken mum taking matters into her own hands.
She’s now raised more than £7600 for charity Specialist Search Dogs to undergo a three-day trawl of the island along with locals.
It’s been a community effort – with CalMac covering the team’s ferry costs from the mainland and a local shop shutting to act as a search base.
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Viktoria told The Scottish Sun: “I just want my baby back. I need my son. I miss him so much.
“It’s been two months since Aleksandr went missing. I don’t understand how someone can just vanish into thin air.”
Aleksandr, who is autistic, was undergoing a diagnosis for Asperger’s at the time of his disappearance.
He was staying voluntarily at Stornoway’s Action for Children crisis centre to adjust to new medication and manage his emotional outbursts.
Viktoria said: “It’s so puzzling. He was happy staying there. I was meeting him every second day. When I last saw him, he was happy gaming on his console. When I left before dinner time, he was smiling and pacing on his tippy toes.”
Viktoria, originally from Latvia, moved to Stornoway when Aleksandr was just four after her partner passed away and has lived there for over a decade.
She said: “He loves this place so much. He even considers himself an islander. He always thought of Stornoway as his home.
“Aleksandr always loved to clear his mind by going to the castle grounds, especially the wooded areas away from people.
“When he left, I thought he’d be back as he had done before when he was distressed, but he didn’t return. I waited and waited, but he didn’t come back.
“Whatever happened on the Sunday night that triggered him to leave is a huge question. It’s difficult to understand how the autistic mind works.”
I just want my baby back. I need my son. I miss him so much.
Viktoria Benga
Island locals have rallied around the fresh search effort to find the missing teen, with a GoFundMe raising over £7,600 and scores of locals are getting involved.
A local clothing store, Tweedtastic, has closed and will act as a base for the search team and a specialist dog team will be coming from the mainland.
The dog team from the UK charity, Specialist Search Dogs, are expected to arrive on Thursday and will leave on Monday giving them three full days to carry out the search.
CalMac will also cover the team’s return journey, after an appeal by the organisers of the search for help with their costs.
Viktoria praised the community efforts, adding: “I’m incredibly grateful to the local community. They still mention his name in every Sunday prayer, which means the world to me.”
It’s been two months since Aleksandr went missing. I don’t understand how someone can just vanish into thin air.
Viktoria Benga
Police say they are remaining in touch with Aleksandr’s family and will act on any new information.
Inspector Euan Cowan said recently: “Despite extensive enquiries and rigorous searches involving a number of local and national specialist police resources, Aleksandr remains a missing person.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and we remain in regular contact with them.
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“Physical searches have now concluded, however we will continue to review all available information and act on any new details which are passed to police.
“Please bring any information to our attention by calling 101, quoting incident 0803 of 18 November, 2024.”
