Remembering Jesus Betancourt, 17. Funeral Mass scheduled for Friday in Cedartown.

Obituary:

Mr. Jesus Betancourt, age 17, of Cedartown, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He was born on December 6, 2003 in Rome, Georgia. He was the son of Roberto and Florentina Betancourt.

Mr. Betancourt is survived by his parents; brothers, Roberto Betancourt, Jr. and Ernesto Betancourt; niece, Sofia Betancourt; and nephews, Juson Betancourt, Jayden Betancourt, and Alandro Betancourt.

A funeral Mass for Mr. Jesus Betancourt will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 at noon at. Bernadette’s Catholic Church with Father Timothy Gallagher officiating. Interment will follow in the Northview Cemetery.

The family of Mr. Betancourt will receive family and friends on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the Gammage Funeral Home from 5 until 9 p.m.

In accordance with the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the CDC, social distancing guidelines will be in place as well as the use of masks required for all services provided for Mr. Betancourt.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Media release: Law enforcement officials have reported that the body of missing 17-year-old Jesus Betancourt-Torres was located this afternoon. Officials say there are no apparent signs of foul play, but an investigation continues.

The body was located in an area outside of the City Limits, and both the Cedartown Police Department and the Polk County Police Department are handling the case.

Betancourt-Torres was found after an organized search party assembled early this morning. The searchers were made up of local residents, church members, law enforcement and fire department officials.

The high school senior had been missing since Monday, Feb. 8, from the 5th Street area of Cedartown.

This is more sad news for Cedartown High School, which has already been dealing with two other tragedies involving students. On Jan. 21, a traffic crash claimed the lives of sisters Gracie Reed/Paulin (16) and Ava Reed/Paulin (12), who were students at Cedartown High and Cedartown Middle. Just three days later came news of the death of Cedartown High senior Michael Jayshun (MJ) Whatley on Jan. 24. The cause of his death remains under investigation.

Click here to read last week’s story on how local school counselors and faith leaders are helping students cope with recent tragedies.