Cops say Caden Speight fabricated a story about being kidnapped which led to Florida authorities issuing an Amber Alert (Florida Department of Law Enforcement).
Florida residents received an Amber Alert on Thursday evening about a 17-year-old boy who had apparently been abducted by four men, who stuffed the teen into a van before driving off, with him trapped inside.
“If located, DO NOT APPROACH. Contact law enforcement immediately,” the alert said.
But it turned out the boy fabricated the story — and even shot himself in the leg to keep the hoax alive, authorities say.
“Completely made up,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a social media post.
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The investigation began on Thursday afternoon when Caden Speight texted a family member that he had been kidnapped and shot outside of his truck in Dunnellon. His family then alerted law enforcement who sprang into action and responded to the location of his truck.
“We did find evidence of a single gunshot where Caden left his truck. However, his claims that he had been shot and abducted were quickly disproven,” Woods said. “We then learned that he had purchased a bicycle, tent and camping supplies just prior to him reporting this. There were an alarming amount of red flags initially but, we also have to fully investigate until we know otherwise. We also had witnesses that contradicted the initial information.”
Woods said Speight actually rode his bike to Williston. He then shot himself in the leg and walked out to the road where residents spotted him and called for help, according to Woods.
The sheriff said his office is still trying to determine whether it will file criminal charges against the boy. Speight’s parents have not allowed investigators to speak with him. The investigation is ongoing.
Federal, state and local cops responded to the incident, in addition to the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, which also committed resources to the search and offered a reward. The foundation pulled back its resources and canceled the reward.
“The resources and time we dedicate to finding a missing child are sacred, and we act on the highest presumption of danger when an Amber Alert is issued,” its founder Daniel Chapin told Miami ABC affiliate WPLG. “This case tragically demonstrates the profound cost of a false report. We wasted countless volunteer hours, expended funds on a reward and extensive search efforts, and utilized our sophisticated school threat database.”
