Roget Hall wants her daughter back.
The Victoria mother reported 7-year-old Violet Bennett missing on January 23rd, after father Jesse Bennett failed to return her as ordered by Family Courts.
Since then, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP has put out numerous calls for help in locating the pair, including new information released this past Friday.
“If Jesse could just give me a sign she’s alive and that she’s safe, it would put my mind at ease,” Roget said. “The last time I saw Violet was January 3rd.”
In an interview with Victoria Buzz, Roget recalls October 7th, 2021.
That’s when Jesse sent her a message, saying Violet wouldn’t be returned to her because she was wearing a face mask to school.
“The only option he gave me to get her back was to take her out of school to be homeschooled—something I refused to do,” Roget explained, “as Violet has resources set up at school that I believed she needed, something I was unable to provide for her.”
“So I took him to court.”
According to Roget, the January 20th court date was the last day she heard from Jesse—the same day the courts ordered him to return Violet into her custody.
But Jesse didn’t follow through.
“Please just bring her back,” Roget said, pleading to Jesse.
“Enough is enough. How much longer can you drag this out. Please think about what Violet needs in her life—it isn’t about us, it’s about her.”
Roget describes her relationship with Violet like any other mother and daughter.
“We go on outings, swimming, dinner dates, play board games, movies,” she said.
“I never wanted to be a hovering parent, and Violet has been able to create her own personality and independence, which I’ve loved. I try my hardest to give Violet the life she deserves.”
On the other hand, Roget describes her relationship with Jesse as “nonexistent.” She says they don’t talk unless it has something to do with their daughter.
“We co-parent completely separately,” explained Roget. “And our routine was set up to keep it that way.”
Last week, a media release from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP said officers believed Jesse and Violet may be in a 2001 black Dodge Dakota Sport club cab with a white canopy.
The license plate is unknown, but RCMP provided a stock image of the type of truck as they don’t have any photos of the actual truck the pair may be using.
Described as a Caucasian man, Jesse is 36-years-old, 5’10” and 160 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair (possibly shaved head or wearing a hat). He also has a beard.
Violet is described as a Caucasian girl, standing about 4′ tall and weighing 50-60 pounds. She has blue eyes and big natural curly hair.
To date, police and family have not been able to contact either of them, but Roget’s hoping Violet thinks she’s “on vacation or an extended camping trip.”
“I just want her to know that I’m fighting to get her back and that I haven’t abandoned her,” Roget added.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts should call local police or the North Cowichan RCMP at (250) 748-5522.
