MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida teen could be charged with a crime after deputies said that he lied about being shot and abducted by four Hispanic men last week, which led to an AMBER alert being issued.
On Monday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office released a three-minute and thirty-seven-second video on social media, saying that the initial information that was released to the public about the disappearance of Caden Speight, 17, was “completely made up.”
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On Thursday evening, an Amber Alert lit up people’s phones after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued it for Speight, who was reported missing out of Marion County.
The message also mentioned that Speight was believed to be with four Hispanic men, and that anyone with more information was encouraged to come forward to assist law enforcement with their search.
According to the sheriff’s office, Speight texted his family that he had been shot and abducted, and immediately began investigating the matter with the help of state and federal agencies.
Through the investigation, deputies learned that the information Speight texted his family, which was sent to the public through the AMBER alert, was false.
While detectives did find evidence of a single gunshot where Speight left his truck, they said he chose to shoot himself in the leg “to continue the ruse” before walking out to a roadway in Williston, where residents eventually found him.
“There is ZERO chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant‚” the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives said they also learned that Speight was never missing or abducted, adding that before he was found, he purchased a bike, a tent, and camping supplies just before he texted the initial details to his family.
“There were an alarming amount of red flags initially...Caden simply rode away towards Williston while the rest of us were left to think the worst, and my team was working in overdrive to solve this case,” Sheriff Billy Woods said.
The sheriff added that his agency is processing all of the recently obtained evidence and won’t make further statements until it has all been examined. He said that charging Speight with a crime is not off the table at this point.
He also said that Caden’s parents are not allowing detectives to speak with their son.
“Naturally, my detectives had a lot of questions for Caden,” Woods said before thanking those who helped the authorities by sending in tips.
“Thank you citizens for your tips and information that you sent in, and when we do have any updated information on this case, we will provide you with that,” he said.