Prunedale pre-schooler battling cancer searching for missing comfort companion

UPDATE: 04/01/15

A “be on the lookout” alert from Watsonville police has turned into an all-out search across the central coast.

But we’re not talking about a missing person, but rather a stuffed monkey that belongs to three-year-old Effy Watson of Prunedale.

They’ve been inseparable since Effy was only months-old and Nunny plays a critical role in Effy’s cancer treatment.

“He’s been there since day one,” said Effy’s father, James Watson.

“Every time she makes a trip to the hospital, she gets admitted he sleeps with her, goes through chemo session with her.”

But as of last week, Nunny is nowhere to be found.

“Last night she got a little bit sad and said I want him to come back,” said the three- year-old’s mother, Jennifer Watson.

As Effy’s parents scramble to find the stuffed animal, they’ve asked people to send Effy post cards from the monkey who she believes is traveling the world with his family.

The Watson’s even said a postcard all the way from London is on its way.

And if you’re wondering why they can’t just get a new monkey?

“No, it didn’t work,” said Mrs. Watson.

There’s no monkeying around with Effy.

“She even remembered the stitching on his foot was ripped and the tag felt a certain way and the smell,” said Effy’s mom.

All of us at News Channel 5 and Telemundo thought we’d bring Effy a little comfort while Nunny travels the world.

Jorge is her new stuffed monkey who happens to be Nunny’s cousin from Mexico and who will now stay with Effy.

But no one compares to her best friend Nunny.

“If you happened to find him, picked him up, we’d love to have him back,” said Mrs. Watson.

And all Effy wants is for Nunny to come back home.

The Watson’s have been trying to retrace their steps from last week and say they visited Safeway in Prunedale, ABC preschool in Aromas, Our Lady Help of Christians Church on East Lake Ave in Watsonville, the Chevron Station on W. Riverside Drive/Rte 1 in Watsonville and the McDonald’s on Main Street in Watsonville.

If you would like to send Effy a postcard from Nunny, you can mail it to:

Effy Watson

8305 Prunedale North Road #130

Prunedale, CA 93907

The Watsonville Police Department is asking residents to be on the lookout for a missing toy monkey. An alert was issued on the department’s Facebook page on Tuesday.

“Nunny” the monkey actually belongs to a young Prunedale cancer patient Effy.

Police said they don’t’ know what happened to Nunny. But they are wondering if the toy may have fallen out of the car and wound up in another neighborhood

If you know where he may be, you’re asked to contact the police so they can reunite Effy with her beloved toy.

Meanwhile, Effy’s parents have told her that Nunny is on vacation in the rainforest. They’re asking people to send postcards to Effy from Nunny, while they trying to track down the monkey.