Found Safe FL - Caden Speight, 17, was found safe (after falsely reporting kidnapping)

[Synergizer Bunny]

This whole case makes no sense. I’m not ready to throw his parents under the bus yet. We need more facts about why he did what he did. They could be parenting a son who has issues we aren’t aware of.

I'm not ready to blame the parents, either. We don't have any information; however, I sure hope that the parents can get it out of their son. Is he on a sports team where the coach is abusing him in some way, or a member of the team is abusing him? Is he being abused by a teacher? Something extreme is happening to this child where he felt that he had to run away and even shoot himself.

I hope that he has the courage to reveal what has happened to him if something did. He needs to realize that most parents are there to help in any way that they can. If you don't tell your parents what is going on, they can't help. Like I said, at this point, I don't think that it is the parents. Of course, I don't know.

I wonder if there are any locals talking about this??

Bottom line: This kid needs desperate help now. The funds afforded by the state can be repaid. However, they need to figure out what is going on and why he did this.

Just my opinion.

 

[LadyL]

Wasn’t there a witness who saw him on the bike also? IMO because I can’t remember exactly

yes and he's on video with the bike outside the Walmart I believe

 

[LadyL]

I am a little surprised that no one has made mention of the fact that the “assailants “ were identified as Hispanic. So, if the story had held up better those four guys would have a problem, legal or not. Florida (this country actually) is not friendly to Hispanics right now and the men could have been sent to a detention center by ICE. IMO, this should have been talked about by the police.

yes it's been mentioned a few times in this thread

 

[LadyL]

I'm not ready to blame the parents, either. We don't have any information; however, I sure hope that the parents can get it out of their son. Is he on a sports team where the coach is abusing him in some way, or a member of the team is abusing him? Is he being abused by a teacher? Something extreme is happening to this child where he felt that he had to run away and even shoot himself.

I hope that he has the courage to reveal what has happened to him if something did. He needs to realize that most parents are there to help in any way that they can. If you don't tell your parents what is going on, they can't help. Like I said, at this point, I don't think that it is the parents. Of course, I don't know.

I wonder if there are any locals talking about this??

Bottom line: This kid needs desperate help now. The funds afforded by the state can be repaid. However, they need to figure out what is going on and why he did this.

Just my opinion.

nothing necessarily happened
some people have mental health issues and they plan hoaxes
we see it repeatedly on WS

 

[lostnwyomn]

That's when I suspected a hoax. He's supposed to have been shot and scared for his life but wastes time calling mom and giving details when calling 911 and getting them faster to save his life would be the obvious thing to do.

I work in emergency services and, unfortunately, this is all too common recently. Children calling their parents when in emergency situations and spouses calling one another instead of 911.

 

[Chimera]

‘Red flags:’ Marion County sheriff says teen shot himself in Amber Alert ruse

After a 17-year-old boy was reported missing last week, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has provided more information on the incident, calling it a “ruse.”

www.clickorlando.com

"...MARION COUNTY, Fla. – After a 17-year-old boy was reported missing last week, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has provided more information on the incident, calling it a “ruse.”

In a release on Monday, Sheriff Billy Woods took to social media, discussing the details of the case. ..."

Holy cow I like this Sheriff Woods !
He pulls no punches and sounds ticked off.
Very specific about the way in which his LE dept. took this case very seriously.

Towards the end of the video (about 3:20) he mentions the parents refusing to allow the detectives to speak with Caden -- I'm thinking the police dept. and city could hold them responsible for the cost of the investigation ?
The parents seemingly being uncooperative is not helping them at all.

On the flip side..... As Caden is still a minor, they do have the right to keep LE from speaking to him.
But they could allow it with one or both of them being present, one would surmise.
Surely the parents can't be ok with all of this that occurred ?
Imo.

 

[Chimera]

Florida Teen Made Up Abduction Story and Shot Himself, Sheriff Claims: 'Zero Chance'

The Marion County sheriff said Caden Speight's parents have refused to allow detectives to speak with him to help authorities reach a "true final conclusion."

ca.news.yahoo.com

Florida Teen Made Up Abduction Story and Shot Himself, Sheriff Claims: 'Zero Chance'​

The Marion County sheriff said Caden Speight's parents have refused to allow detectives to speak with him to help authorities reach a "true final conclusion."​

• The sheriff said criminal charges "are not off the table", and that authorities are still processing evidence.

Woods said witnesses contradicted Speight's claims and he "simply rode away" while the public was left to think the worst, and while the sheriff's staff "was working in overdrive to solve" the case.

Even Speight’s sister took to social media in a since-deleted post, urging her brother to come home :
“God I just want him home.
“I can’t sleep, eat or do anything not knowing where he is and if he is safe.
“Please don’t stop searching or looking..."
Rbm.
Pbm.

At this time it's not clear who knew --aside from Caden -- this to be a ruse.
Good that LE is still going through evidence.

Curious if anyone else in Caden's family knew about his plan or if they were oblivious.
It's reasonable to think he has some serious issues that they knew about -- but didn't know he was going to pull this stunt ?

Also wondering if the family will allow Caden to be questioned or if it's simply a matter of 'circling the wagons', so to speak.
I don't blame LE for being unhappy with all of this; they were taking Caden's story seriously !
Omo.

 

[ch_13]

If it were my son, he most certainly would have an attorney

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised Caden's first instinct would be to try and continue the ruse and claim he really was kidnapped and shot. It would do him no good to talk to the authorities if he's just going to keep lying. And even if he did want to fess up and tell the truth, it would be better for him to first consult with a lawyer and understand what consequences he could face.

A good attorney can help negotiate the criminal justice system, and make sure that all of Caden's family and mental health issues are taken into account in any plea deal. Don't get me wrong, I think there need to be repercussions for his actions, I just believe everyone deserves to have an attorney representing their interests when facing serious charges.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

nothing necessarily happened
some people have mental health issues and they plan hoaxes
we see it repeatedly on WS

Whatever it is, I hope that the police get to the bottom of it. I don't know why the parents won't let him talk to police. Hopefully, the parents are working to figure how why this happened and take action.

JMO.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Whatever it is, I hope that the police get to the bottom of it. I don't know why the parents won't let him talk to police. Hopefully, the parents are working to figure how why this happened and take action.

JMO.

They're probably scared. For him, for themselves, for their family.

jmo

 

[TMich6811]

They're probably scared. For him, for themselves, for their family.

jmo

If my child was in this situation I would consent with a lawyer present. I don’t care how scared you are as a parent, you don’t permit this behavior

 

[Chimera]

If my child was in this situation I would consent with a lawyer present. I don’t care how scared you are as a parent, you don’t permit this behavior

Agreed.
For one thing, I'd do it to clear my own name !!!!

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Agreed.
For one thing, I'd do it to clear my own name !!!!

That's what I am afraid of. If the parents refuse to cooperate, it seems like the police might charge him with whatever they can. I'm not sure, though, because he is still a juvenile.

JMO.

 

[Leilei]

That's what I am afraid of. If the parents refuse to cooperate, it seems like the police might charge him with whatever they can. I'm not sure, though, because he is still a juvenile.

JMO.

He can be charged as an adult in Florida, depending on what the charges are.
IMO.

 

[swanniee11]

I do think there will be charges against him, no he didn't call the police he called/texted his mom, she called thinking her son was in serious danger. I don't see the parents being charged with anything at this point. I agree that he should have a lawyer, it's in his best interest but at this point but I do see some form of charges against him. IMO

 

[G.Keelie]

yes it's been mentioned a few times in this thread

Sorry. I hadn’t seen it in the thread and I was cranky (I live in a large city close to the border and probably 90% of my neighbors are Hispanic) I hope people don’t think I was lecturing websleuthers though, it’s truly the media mis-reporting, etc. that I was referencing.

 

[Tutter]

I am a little surprised that no one has made mention of the fact that the “assailants “ were identified as Hispanic. So, if the story had held up better those four guys would have a problem, legal or not. Florida (this country actually) is not friendly to Hispanics right now and the men could have been sent to a detention center by ICE. IMO, this should have been talked about by the police.

He must have seen the roofers and wove them into his story. Also, just because they are Hispanic doesn’t mean they are illegal. They can’t haul citizens to detention centers.

If the kid is racist, that would be the least of his issues in light of the fact he shot himself! I don’t think the goal here was to implicate Hispanic people. I don’t know what his goal was, but I feel for him because it must be something bad in his life for him to make this up. The roofers were there when he needed a story.

iMO

 

[OneLove]

Agreed.
For one thing, I'd do it to clear my own name !!!!

In this case, the evidence against him is overwhelming. There's probably nothing he CAN say to clear his name. Anything he says woukd most likely dig his hole deeper, then there's charges for that too.

As a parent with a desperately unwell unbalanced child willing to self harm by shooting himself, I'd be as protective of his wellbeing and future as possible. Lawyers are there to provide the best legal advice but they need SO much more than just a lawyer. Hope they're getting that.

Hope hes going to be okay.

 

[G.Keelie]

He must have seen the roofers and wove them into his story. Also, just because they are Hispanic doesn’t mean they are illegal. They can’t haul citizens to detention centers.

If the kid is racist, that would be the least of his issues in light of the fact he shot himself! I don’t think the goal here was to implicate Hispanic people. I don’t know what his goal was, but I feel for him because it must be something bad in his life for him to make this up. The roofers were there when he needed a story.

iMO

They absolutely are hauling people who are here legally, or even US citizens. They arrest first and ask questions later. The person usually is released within 48 hours.

I wasn’t really addressing the “victim” in this, but he could have caused harm, and would that have been okay because he has problems to work out? But, choices have consequences.

 

[LadyL]

Sorry. I hadn’t seen it in the thread and I was cranky (I live in a large city close to the border and probably 90% of my neighbors are Hispanic) I hope people don’t think I was lecturing websleuthers though, it’s truly the media mis-reporting, etc. that I was referencing.

yeah it's despicable
it's happened in a few cases - (one being Sherry Papini - her case is on WS too) - she blamed Hispanics too