AMBER ALERT FL - Caden Speight, 17, kidnapped by 4 unknown men in light-colored van, do not approach, last seen 12800 block SW Hwy 484, Dunellon, 25 Sep 2025

[Emerald1328]

DBM

 

[vls12345]

I'm sure it's not likely, but if he had been stunned or wounded, could he have walked into one of the wooded areas and passed out (or worse)? Were tracking dogs brought in? Do they have an actual eyewitness that said he was put/forced into the van?

(I ask because there was a case from months ago where a woman, I think in Augusta, GA, was disoriented from a crash and walked into a wooded area. By the time LE arrived, they couldn't find her. Months later she was back at home. It was really weird. Imo.)

 

[diggndeeperstill]

DBM

@Emerald1328 , agree now. I’ve deleted. You may want to remove your quote of my post.

 

[Emerald1328]

DBM

@Emerald1328 , agree now. I’ve deleted. You may want to remove your quote of my post.

I’ll delete all

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Oh, boy! Here we go! One of the early comments to the SO indicated that this might be the case.

https://www.facebook.com/mcsoflorida/posts/pfbid0FWmsy6w9dabsTHMEnLNuP1rdsj2cnkptifNTyf3unxYqeAb3m51fJmTK7ND1giPol

UPDATE ON MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE – CADEN REX SPEIGHT
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives, Aviation Unit, Field Force Unit, and Mounted Unit, are continuing to search for Caden Rex Speight, who remains missing and is believed to be endangered. Through the initial investigation of the shooting reported in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and Caden’s disappearance, detectives obtained information and collected evidence that are unsupportive of the initially reported facts.

Primarily, at this time, there is no evidence to indicate that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van. It is possible that he left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala.

Since Caden is still a missing endangered juvenile, MSCO is asking anyone who may have seen a male matching his description with a dark-colored mountain bike and a tent to call 911.

"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,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “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."

 

[Emerald1328]

https://www.facebook.com/mcsoflorida/posts/pfbid0FWmsy6w9dabsTHMEnLNuP1rdsj2cnkptifNTyf3unxYqeAb3m51fJmTK7ND1giPol

UPDATE ON MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE – CADEN REX SPEIGHT
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives, Aviation Unit, Field Force Unit, and Mounted Unit, are continuing to search for Caden Rex Speight, who remains missing and is believed to be endangered. Through the initial investigation of the shooting reported in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and Caden’s disappearance, detectives obtained information and collected evidence that are unsupportive of the initially reported facts.

Primarily, at this time, there is no evidence to indicate that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van. It is possible that he left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala.

Since Caden is still a missing endangered juvenile, MSCO is asking anyone who may have seen a male matching his description with a dark-colored mountain bike and a tent to call 911.

"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,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “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."

Woah. I haven’t even see this in comments on articles/FB posts. The facts weren’t adding up, but I thought there would be at least a sprinkle of truth within the story originally put out.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I did see one comment yesterday from a guy stating he saw a male on a bike in the area around the time of the reported incident. I forgot because I had immediately discounted it.

 

[tara83]

Oh, boy! Here we go!

https://www.facebook.com/mcsoflorida/posts/pfbid0FWmsy6w9dabsTHMEnLNuP1rdsj2cnkptifNTyf3unxYqeAb3m51fJmTK7ND1giPol

UPDATE ON MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE – CADEN REX SPEIGHT
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives, Aviation Unit, Field Force Unit, and Mounted Unit, are continuing to search for Caden Rex Speight, who remains missing and is believed to be endangered. Through the initial investigation of the shooting reported in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and Caden’s disappearance, detectives obtained information and collected evidence that are unsupportive of the initially reported facts.

Primarily, at this time, there is no evidence to indicate that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van. It is possible that he left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala.

Since Caden is still a missing endangered juvenile, MSCO is asking anyone who may have seen a male matching his description with a dark-colored mountain bike and a tent to call 911.

"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,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “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."

Sigh. So where did the 4 hispanic men story come from? I'm so tred of media getting things wrong. In this climate it could be a very dangerous thing to do. JMO

 

[Sam121396]

Sigh. So where did the 4 hispanic men story come from? I'm so tred of media getting things wrong. In this climate it could be a very dangerous thing to do. JMO

From the missing kid, that’s what he told his mom, I believe.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I suppose a very critical element is if he staged the scene by shooting the truck, he has a gun with him.

Sure hope he is safe, and finds a quick reason to want to reunite with family.

 

[justme11]

Sigh. So where did the 4 hispanic men story come from? I'm so tred of media getting things wrong. In this climate it could be a very dangerous thing to do. JMO

It wasn't just media, the Sheriff’s office posted it on their Facebook page. (Not defending media because they do often get things wrong ) IMO

 

[sripey]

Sigh. So where did the 4 hispanic men story come from? I'm so tred of media getting things wrong. In this climate it could be a very dangerous thing to do. JMO

He texted his mom about being abducted by the Hispanic men, thus the initial news reports.

@MassGuy nailed it about the story not adding up.

 

[tara83]

I suppose a very critical element is if he staged the scene by shooting the truck, he has a gun with him.

Sure hope he is safe, and finds a quick reason to want to reunite with family.

And IF he made this story up he should be charged IMO.

 

[Leilei]

Oh, boy! Here we go! One of the early comments to the SO indicated that this might be the case.

https://www.facebook.com/mcsoflorida/posts/pfbid0FWmsy6w9dabsTHMEnLNuP1rdsj2cnkptifNTyf3unxYqeAb3m51fJmTK7ND1giPol

UPDATE ON MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE – CADEN REX SPEIGHT
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives, Aviation Unit, Field Force Unit, and Mounted Unit, are continuing to search for Caden Rex Speight, who remains missing and is believed to be endangered. Through the initial investigation of the shooting reported in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and Caden’s disappearance, detectives obtained information and collected evidence that are unsupportive of the initially reported facts.

Primarily, at this time, there is no evidence to indicate that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van. It is possible that he left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala.

Since Caden is still a missing endangered juvenile, MSCO is asking anyone who may have seen a male matching his description with a dark-colored mountain bike and a tent to call 911.

"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,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “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."

Why on earth would a 17 year old young man do this?
Hoping that he is found safe and soon, but answers are needed.
IMO.

 

[Ontario Mom]

He texted his mom about being abducted by the Hispanic men, thus the initial news reports.

@MassGuy nailed it about the story no adding up.

Sherri Papini racist vibes all over again.

 

[swanniee11]

Lovely!!!! I wonder if he bought a burner phone or something? So no "make America great again hat"? IMO

 

[layer]

Why on earth would a 17 year old young man do this?

The purchase of a tent makes me think this is an elaborate run-away scenario.

 

[CityKid]

Here's my issue. He's apparently ambushed in his vehicle, and you'd assume this would be a quick event. Yet he's able to text his mom telling her that he'd been shot, and provide a description? It's one thing if he had his phone on him in this alleged van, but it was apparently found at the scene.

I just can't fathom him having that kind of time.

MassGuy, I always love reading your takes on cases. I'm feeling the same way as you do about this case (although I'm about four pages of posts behind at the moment). I'm interested in seeing if there is evidence of injury in the victim's abandoned car.

 

[MassGuy]

He texted his mom about being abducted by the Hispanic men, thus the initial news reports.

@MassGuy nailed it about the story not adding up.

Lol. I love it when cases are teed up for me. This was just a ridiculous scenario.

 

[adot0902]

Well darn, I was really leaning the other way on my fence. Most of you guys seemed to already know the story was bull crap though. They had me with the parents owned a farm and fired migrant workers recently, granted it didn't make sense, but it was at least semi reasonable enough to give the story a logical starting point. Now I'm annoyed at myself for spending 20 minutes thinking of how to send a text message in an emergency with a broken phone.

 

[scapa]

Argh.

Not good.

Hopefully CS is found safe soon, reunited with family, and if this was indeed all "just a hoax," dealt with accordingly -- WITHOUT sticking to original (untrue) story in a Papini-esque way.

As others have noted, today's febrile politics make serious and unfounded accusations against "4 non-white guys in a van" actively dangerous