Middle School Boys Remain Missing One Year Later
POSTED: Friday, February 10, 2006
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The families of two Westside boys who left school early one year ago Friday and never made it home joined police and others in a ceremony to remember them and keep the search in the public mind.
Mark Degner, 13, and Bryan Hayes, 14, left Paxon Middle School on Feb. 10, 2005, and never made it home."We're not here today for a memorial service for missing people. We're here today because we truly believe that our boys are alive," Degner's grandmother, Darlene Briggs, said.It is believed they are runaways, but because of the length of time they've been gone, investigators believe they may be in danger."We just want let you know, Mark and Brian, that we love you and we just want you home with us," said Linda Alligood, Degner's mother.The reward for information leading to their safe return remains $10,000.An aggressive search by the parents and Jacksonville police turned up several sightings of the boys in north Jacksonville in the first two weeks after they disappeared.A month later, there were reports that the boys were seen in Volusia County. Other tips have continued to come in, although more slowly."Every resource that the sheriff's office has is committed to this investigation," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Rick Graham said.In addition to people concerned about Degner and Hayes, six other families who are missing loved ones were at Friday's ceremony.Anyone with any information about the boys is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office missing persons office at (904) 630-2627 or Crimestoppers at (888) 845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward.
Missing Persons Poster
Copyright 2006 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Mark Degner, 13, and Bryan Hayes, 14, left Paxon Middle School on Feb. 10, 2005, and never made it home."We're not here today for a memorial service for missing people. We're here today because we truly believe that our boys are alive," Degner's grandmother, Darlene Briggs, said.It is believed they are runaways, but because of the length of time they've been gone, investigators believe they may be in danger."We just want let you know, Mark and Brian, that we love you and we just want you home with us," said Linda Alligood, Degner's mother.The reward for information leading to their safe return remains $10,000.An aggressive search by the parents and Jacksonville police turned up several sightings of the boys in north Jacksonville in the first two weeks after they disappeared.A month later, there were reports that the boys were seen in Volusia County. Other tips have continued to come in, although more slowly."Every resource that the sheriff's office has is committed to this investigation," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Rick Graham said.In addition to people concerned about Degner and Hayes, six other families who are missing loved ones were at Friday's ceremony.Anyone with any information about the boys is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office missing persons office at (904) 630-2627 or Crimestoppers at (888) 845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward.Missing Persons PosterPrevious Stories:
- June 14, 2005: Reward For Missing Boys Rises To $10,000
- March 18, 2005: Search For Missing Jacksonville Boys Shifts To Volusia County
- February 25, 2005: Reward Offered For Missing Boys
- February 21, 2005: Search For Missing Boys Enters 11th Day
- February 18, 2005: Parents Lead Search For Missing Middle School Boys
- February 17, 2005: Police Call Teens Missing For Week 'Endangered'
Copyright 2006 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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