Family appeals for information in 5th week since disappearance of Happy Charles

It's difficult for Regina Poitras to speak about her plans for Mother's Day this weekend. Her daughter Happy Charles, 42, has been missing from Prince Albert, Sask., since April 3.

Poitras is also worried about Charles's four daughters and one son — her own grandchildren — as they prepare for what would usually be a family celebration.

"Me and her kids miss her, her family misses her, we all love her, and Mother's Day's coming up and the kids are just, they seem like they are very sad," she said.

Police investigation continues

Police say they're still investigating Charles's disappearance and they have searched the areas surrounding her last known locations.

Poitras and other members of Charles's family have been running their own search for information on weekends. 

They've scoured the city's trails, handing out flyers and questioning people in search of clues that might lead them to her. But Poitras said they are no closer to the truth.

As she puts it, the trail has gone cold.

"There has to be somebody who's seen her somewhere," said Poitras.

"She can't just be gone.

"The police said they had a few tips but those didn't turn up anything."

What they have learned is how well-liked Charles was in her circle of friends in Prince Albert, which is about 135 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. 

Although Charles sometimes went up to four days without contacting her mother, Poitras said it was unlike her daughter to go without contact any longer than that.

Movements prior to disappearance 

Poitras said Charles had left her home in La Ronge, Sask., where Poitras also lives, to go to Prince Albert to do banking on April 1. 

On the evening of April 2, Poitras said her daughter messaged her to say she was at the Prince Albert Inn. And on April 3, she said video footage shows Charles at the city's Walmart with her boyfriend.

She is also believed to have been at the YWCA before her disappearance.

Search could be bigger, says family

Although police say they have searched the parts of the city where she was known to have been, Poitras said the search could be bigger.

She would like to see an aerial search for her daughter, who she said was a popular and outgoing woman.

"She was very well-loved by her daughters and by us, and her son," said Poitras.  

"She talks with everybody and is friendly with everybody and with us she's a loving person and she would never worry us for anything. She'd let us know if she was out there."

Charles is described as being five feet three inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo of a rose on her left hand and a scar on her left cheek.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prince Albert Police Service at 306-953-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.