ST. GEORGE, Utah, Jan. 17, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The mother of Macin Smith says her youngest son had trouble communicating verbally until he was about 5 years old.
So now, the mother of the missing St. George teen is attempting to reach out to her child in a different way — in writing.
Bratt-Smith has posted a new video to Facebook using a series of handwritten messages. Her words acknowledge the struggles he went through before he went missing.
Speaking exclusively to Gephardt Daily, Bratt-Smith spoke about her reasoning for posting the video at this time:
“My thoughts are to try anything possible to communicate to my boy… whatever it takes,” she said.
Bratt-Smith and her husband Darrin Smith’s son Macin was 17 when he vanished, and has been gone for 17 months as of Feb. 1.
Macin, the last of the Smith’s six children living at home, walked away from home in the early morning hours when his parents thought he was on his way to school, leaving behind his cellphone, wallet, laptop, even his school binder.
The new video’s messages begin:
“Once upon a time in 1998 a very special boy was born. His name was Macin Darrin Smith. His family knew he would be the last. Their family was complete now. Whole. Macin grew up loved and adored by his entire family. He was adventurous. He was stubborn. He had the best giggle. Macin had trouble communicating until he was about 5.”
She goes on to say that Macin had a happy childhood until he began to be bullied at school.
“Junior high was tough. Kids would tease Macin (he said every day). Macin got sadder and sadder. Macin tried to play football and basketball but didn’t seem to ‘fit in.’ Macin stopped wanting to go out and stayed home more and more.
“One day Macin got frustrated just like he did when he was a little boy. His parents had taken away his laptop and phone so Macin would get some sleep before school. Macin walked away from his home on September 1, 2015 at approximately 7:40 a.m. He has not been seen since. He left a very sad note saying he was going to hurt himself.”
Bratt-Smith and other family members have posted Facebook updates almost every day to the Help Find Macin Smith page, which has 26,554 members, in the hope of bringing him home. There is a $10,000 reward in place for information leading to Macin’s location.
This spring, Macin’s story will be featured on the Investigation Discovery Channel documentary series “Disappeared.”
Earlier this month, there was a flurry of renewed interest in the case when there were several possible sightings of Macin in the Sacramento area, which police are investigating.
According to the Sacramento Police Department, an area resident posted a comment to their Facebook page stating they may have seen Macin, and other sightings followed.
Bratt-Smith told Gephardt Daily a search in northern California is being planned.
“Sacramento continues to be hit with fliers and there will be an organized search and distribution of socks for the homeless coming up for that area. The event is called Heart and Soles for Macin.”
Macin is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has light blue eyes and he had short blond hair when he went missing. The Smith family moved to Utah from Canada in spring 2015.
Anyone with information about Macin is asked to call the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300, or David Cummings at Red Rock Search and Rescue at 702-787-4068. Any sightings of Macin in the Sacramento area should be reported to the Sacramento Fire Department or the Sacramento Police Department.
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One of the many 'Bring Macin Home' photographs that have been produced by supporters. Photo Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
Macin Smith's mom and dad, Tracey and Darrin, speak to Gephardt Daily in September 2015. The couple divorced in August 2018. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Missing St. George teen, Macin Smith. Photo: Macin Smith Family
Tracey Bratt, mother of missing St. George teen, Macin Smith, talks about the mysterious circumstances of her son's disappearance. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
One of the many 'Bring Macin Home' photographs that have been produced by supporters. Photo Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
Macin celebrating a childhood birthday (left) and before he went missing (right). Photos Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
Macin Smith before his disappearance. Photo Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
The vigil held for Macin Smith the month he disappeared. Photo Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
Missing St. George teen Macin Smith with his mom, Tracey Bratt. Photo: Macin Smith Family
Tracey Bratt-Smith and her ex-husband Darrin prior to an exclusive interview with Gephardt Daily, Aug,. 2017 Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Darrin Smith and his wife, Tracey Bratt-Smith -- parents of missing St. George teen, Macin Smith -- speak out about their son's disappearance in an exclusive interview with Gephardt Daily. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Macin Smith and his mom Tracey before his disappearance. Photo Courtesy: Macin Smith Family
Don’t give up hope…my sister at 20 went missing as a 20 year old many years ago with a history of depression and suicidal attempts…she was a beautiful girl…..smart and athletic….she was working in Disney world…
Don’t give up hope…my sister at 20 went missing as a 20 year old many years ago with a history of depression and suicidal attempts…she was a beautiful girl…..smart and athletic….she was working in Disney world…