Pastor: “Adriel Was Always Here At Church, A Bundle of Energy”

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In the hours following the tragic crime, more details about the disappearance of a young girl, Adriel, emerged, shedding light on her life and character. Joshua Williams brings us more on this heartbreaking story.

Pastor Cleveland Wells Jr. – Senior Pastor, Restoration Kingdom Ministries AG
“What would have driven? It only could have been a monster mentality to have done such a thing.”

Adriel, described as a faithful churchgoer, was considered a daughter to Pastor Cleveland Wells Jr. and his wife, Pastor Samantha Francis-Wells. Their church, Restoration Kingdom Ministries Assemblies of God, is located directly across from Adriel’s school, Anatol Rodgers High School.

The pastors last spoke with Adriel on Monday, and their memory of that conversation is haunting.

Pastor Cleveland Wells Jr. – Senior Pastor, Restoration Kingdom Ministries AG
“She said, ‘Pastor, what’s happening on Monday? What’s happening on Monday at church?’ I said, ‘Adriel, nothing is happening on Monday.’ She said, ‘So what am I going to do?’ I said, ‘But Adriel, there’s nothing that’s happening at the church on Monday.’ And then when I heard the news, I was like wow.”

When a church member informed him of hearing a scream on Monday night, Pastor Wells took immediate action.

Pastor Cleveland Wells Jr. – Senior Pastor, Restoration Kingdom Ministries AG
“He said, ‘When I was going home Monday night, I heard a loud scream of a young lady.’ And as soon as he said that to me, I turned my car around and went to the Carmichael Road police station.”

Adriel was remembered as an active church member, deeply involved in the college club and youth ministries. Although she had only joined the church community in September, her impact was profound.

Pastor Samantha Francis-Wells – Co-Pastor, Restoration Kingdom Ministries AG
“It was as if she was always here. You would not believe this, but Adriel only came into our lives a few months ago, in September. And never missed a beat. Wanted to know more about God, wanted somewhere to belong.”

Amid the grief, Pastor Samantha Francis-Wells delivered a vital message to the community.

Pastor Samantha Francis-Wells – Co-Pastor, Restoration Kingdom Ministries AG
“If you see something, say something. Don’t assume that what you’re seeing is normal. It’s better to be on the side of wrong than to be on the side of right, and you didn’t say anything.”