The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has provided new details in the urgent search for 17-year-old Caden Rex Speight, who is still missing and officially classified as an endangered juvenile. What began as a possible abduction case has now shifted into a complex investigation, leaving a family desperate for answers and a community on high alert.
The case first gained widespread attention on September 25, when Caden’s mother, Annie Speight, received a disturbing text message from her son’s phone. The message read: “Mom, I need help. Four Hispanics in a white van — one driver. I’m shot.” That single text sent shockwaves through Marion County and immediately triggered an Amber Alert, as well as a massive, multi-agency search effort involving deputies, aviation units, mounted patrols, and volunteers.
However, detectives now say that evidence gathered from the scene does not support the claim of an abduction by four Hispanic men in a van. After reviewing surveillance footage, tips, and other information, investigators believe the message may not reflect what actually happened that day. Instead, it appears that Caden may have left voluntarily.
According to MCSO, Caden was last seen leaving the area on a dark-colored mountain bike. Detectives also confirmed he had purchased a red and gray tent earlier that same day at a Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road in Ocala, suggesting he may have intended to camp out. Authorities stress, however, that even though the abduction report may have been false, the danger to Caden has not disappeared. As Sheriff Billy Woods explained, “Caden is still missing, and he is considered endangered. My deputies are working around the clock to bring him home safely.”
Sheriff Woods also shared a heartfelt statement to the community, emphasizing the seriousness of the case: “We respond to every 911 call with a determination to ensure justice is served and the truth revealed. But when it involves juveniles, the urgency becomes even greater. This case is no different. While some of the initial information proved inaccurate, we remain fully committed to finding Caden. I am grateful to every citizen who has stepped forward with tips, and I urge others to keep their eyes open. Every piece of information matters.”
Authorities are now urging residents to stay vigilant. Anyone who sees a teenager matching Caden’s description — especially someone riding a dark-colored bicycle or carrying camping gear — is asked not to approach but instead call 911 immediately. The sheriff’s office continues to dedicate multiple divisions, including Detectives, Aviation, Field Force, and Mounted Units, to the search.
As the days pass, the uncertainty only deepens the worry for Caden’s family. His loved ones are pleading for the public’s help, hoping someone will spot him and report it quickly. For now, the investigation remains active and ongoing, with one goal at the center of it all — bringing 17-year-old Caden Rex Speight back home safely.