The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced at 1:45 p.m. Sept. 26 that Caden Speight, the subject of a Sept. 25 Amber Alert, had been found safe in Williston.
Authorities originally said Caden, 17, had been shot and taken by four unknown men after an incident on County Road 484 in Dunnellon.
Just before noon on Sept. 26, the sheriff’s office said it did not have any evidence to support the initial claim.
In fact, “it is possible that he (Caden) left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and gray tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala,” the sheriff’s office said.
A few hours after that update was issued, deputies announced that Caden had been found and that their investigation continued.
The sheriff’s office said detectives, the Aviation Unit, the Field Force Unit and the Mounted Unit were engaged in the search.
Deputies went to the 12800 block of CR 484 shortly before 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 25 to investigate a shooting. When deputies got to the scene, Caden was missing, but they found his pickup truck. They believed the teen was wounded and had been taken by four men.
Before Caden was found, Sheriff Billy Woods released this statement:
“We respond to every 911 call with a determination to ensure justice is served and the truth revealed. But any law-enforcement officer will tell you that when these calls involve juveniles, it takes on an even greater intensity. This case is no different.
“My deputies responded immediately, and I have dedicated all of my available resources to respond to this event. Initial information was later determined to be inaccurate; however, we always give everything we have until the investigation takes us into a different direction.
“I appreciate the many citizens who gave us tips and information to help my detectives. Understand, I will continue to have all of my available resources committed to locating this young man.”
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Missing teen, the subject of the Sept. 25 Amber Alert, found safe in Williston
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
