CANADA • Dezeraja SMOLJANOVICH, 16 & Jonathan CLARK, 32 ~ Grand Marais MB

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating a 16-year-old Grand Marais girl who is believed to have run off with her former high school teacher.

Police said Dezeraja Smoljanovich, 16, has not been seen since the afternoon of April 28 at her home in Grand Marais.

Police said they believe she is with Jonathan Clark, 32, of Ile des Chenes, who is described as Smoljanovich’s recent boyfriend and teacher.

It’s believed the two are heading to Vancouver.


16-year-old Dezeraja Smoljanovich of Grand Marais
has not been seen since Thursday afternoon at her home in Grand Marais.

Smoljanovich is described as 5-6, 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes with a birthmark on her forehead.


Jonathan Clark, 32, from Ile des Chenes, is reported to be a recent
boyfriend and former high school teacher of Dezeraja Smoljanovich.

Clark may be using the name "Mike" Clark. He is described as 5-10 to 6-feet tall, has a thin build, weighs 150 lbs, and has brown hair and brown eyes.

Police said the two people might be travelling in a grey, 2005 Honda Accord, with a Manitoba licence plate FJB 398.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP Selkirk detachment, 204-482-1222, their local police, or Manitoba Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477.

16 Year-old Missing - New Info
May 2, 2011

RCMP are seeking help in finding a 16 year-old girl from Grand Marais believed to be in the company of a 32 year-old man from Ile des Chenes. Sixteen year-old Dezeraja Smoljanovich has not been seen since last Thursday at 4 pm at her home in Grand Marais. Police believe she is with her recent boyfriend and former high school teacher, 32 year-old Jonathon Clark of Ile des Chenes. He may be using the name Mike Clark.

We have now been informed Selkirk RCMP have charged Clark with one count of Sexual Exploitation. A Canada wide warrant for his arrest is currently in effect.

Police believe the pair may be headed towards the greater Vancouver area in a grey 2005 Honda Accord with Manitoba licence FJB 398.

Manhunt underway for former Manitoba teacher
Update May 2, 4:30 PM

A former teacher at the Ste. Anne Collegiate is the centre of a Canada-wide manhunt.

Jonathan Clark, 32, is charged with sexual exploitation after allegedly having a relationship and recently fleeing the province with a former student 16-year old Dezeraja Smoljanovich.

"He does look a lot younger than he actually is and I think to some extent this may have fooled some people," said RCMP spokesperson, Sgt. Line Karpish


32-year-old Jonathan Richard Clark is believed to be en route to Vancouver
with his former student, 16-year-old Dezeraja Smoljanovich; he is wanted by RCMP.

RCMP believe the two could be in British Columbia by now, and were driving a 2005 grey Honda Accord with a Manitoba licence plate.

"Our focus will be to work with authorities in British Columbia wherever our investigation leads us in that province," Karpish added.

Clark taught Grade 11 and 12 English. The girl’s friends tell Global News that two months ago, he began trading emails with his former student, which sparked a relationship.

Smoljanovich went to school in Ste. Anne for the last two years, but recently moved to Grand Marias, about 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg, where she went missing last Thursday, April 28.

Clark began teaching in Ste. Anne last September. Two weeks ago, the Seine River School Division put him on home-leave after allegations were made that he was in a relationship with a student, then last Tuesday, April 26, Clark quit his job.

"We tried to be complete with our hiring processes. We really want there to be a line between professional teacher and students," said Michael Borgfjord, Superintendent with the Seine River School Division.

Clark also went by the name "Mike.” He is roughly six feet tall and 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 786-TIPS.

http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/Manhunt+underway+former+Manitoba+teacher/4712205/story.html