Police have confirmed that the missing Indiana 14-year-old Scottie Morris has been found safe after being missing for a week.
Per The Independent, Morris was reported missing on March 16, causing panic through the Eaton area.
Residents were urged by police to check their surveillance footage for any sight of the youngster.
Morris had reportedly gone missing while wearing a white t-shirt with words that branded him a liar, per The Independent. This was reportedly a form of punishment for the teen. Police have said that they are investigating this incident, and warned social media users of sharing speculations online.
Following an argument with his parents, the 14-year-old disappeared.
When police shared an image of an upset Scottie wearing the shirt with disparaging comments scrawled on it, there was an uproar on social media.
"We are very sorry the post seemed as if we were trying to shame him in [any way], as that would NEVER be our intent," the EPD said in a responding statement. "Placing that photo on social media was in no way an attempt to embarrass or humiliate him ... our only concern is that we find Scottie safely and then go from there with our investigation."
A week after his disappearance, a candlelight vigil was held. Hopes of finding the teen were dwindling as the Eaton Police Department said they’re running out of places to search for the teen and temperatures were dropping to freezing.
Searches involved up to 100 volunteers from the town of 1,500 residents.
Now, in a Facebook post shared this weekend, officials from the Eaton Police Department have confirmed that Scottie was found on the evening of March 24 at 22:31.
"Morris was located by an Eaton Officer at Hartford Street & Harris Street," the post read. "Scottie was transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital ER to be checked out as a precaution.
"At this time, Scottie has been placed in a safe environment with the assistance of Delaware County [Child Protective Services]. The family is cooperating with every aspected of the investigation.
"Interviews will be conducted later today.
"We would like to thank EVERYONE for all of their assistance during the last eight days."
A follow-up post states: "Officers with EPD and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department have been conducting interviews most of the day.
"There were two individuals brought in for questioning, however, they have since been cleared of involvement with any part of this case. The Department of Child Services is assisting Scottie. The family is continuing to cooperate with every aspect of the investigation."
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