Florida Teen Accused of Faking Abduction and Shooting Himself, Triggering Amber Alert
MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Florida teenager is accused of fabricating his own abduction, sending alarming messages to family, and even shooting himself in the leg in a scheme that triggered an Amber Alert and a massive law enforcement search.
The False Amber Alert
Authorities say 17-year-old Caden Speight texted family members on September 25 claiming he had been abducted and shot. His messages prompted an Amber Alert and a wide-scale search across Marion County and beyond.
The initial alert said he may have been taken by four men in a light-colored van. However, investigators quickly determined those details were false.
Sheriff: Claims Were “Completely Made Up”
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said detectives worked through the night and soon discovered inconsistencies. “Because of their hard work, the initial details that Caden texted to his family were proven to be false – completely made up,” Woods said.
Deputies later learned Speight had purchased a bicycle, tent, and camping supplies from a Walmart in Ocala just before disappearing. Witness accounts also contradicted his claims of being abducted.
Found Safe in Williston
By the following day, Speight was located in Williston, about 20 miles southwest of Gainesville. Investigators say he had been camping in the area and eventually shot himself in the leg to sustain his story before emerging on a roadway, where citizens spotted him.
“To continue the ruse, Caden, who had a handgun with him since the beginning of all of this, chose to shoot himself in the leg, causing a non-life-threatening injury,” Woods explained.
The sheriff emphasized: “There is ZERO chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant.”
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not confirmed whether Speight will face criminal charges. Woods said deputies have more questions for the teen, but his parents have not allowed investigators to interview him further.
The case has raised questions about the resources devoted to false abduction reports and the strain such incidents place on law enforcement and communities.
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