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A teenager in Florida faces accusations for allegedly making false claims about being shot and abducted, subsequently disappearing with camping gear, and ultimately shooting himself in the leg, according to authorities.
On Monday, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods revealed these accusations in a Facebook video, stating that the claims of abduction made by 17-year-old Caden Speight were “proven to be false.”
The investigation was launched on Friday following urgent messages from Speight that led to an Amber Alert and a substantial law enforcement response. Authorities reported that he texted his family claiming to have been shot and abducted, which triggered the alert.
The Amber Alert, issued on September 25, indicated that Speight was last seen that afternoon in a T-shirt and jeans and was possibly accompanied by four men in a light-colored van—a detail that authorities later determined to be unfounded.
Caden Speight is seen in an undated photo. The 17-year-old from Marion County, Florida, was found safe after initiating a multi-agency search following his disappearance on September 25, 2025. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
Sheriff Woods stated, “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.” He added, “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 just prior to walking out to the roadway where he would be located by citizens in Williston.”
“There is ZERO chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant,” Woods added.
The sheriff did not rule out whether Speight would face charges, saying investigators are still reviewing evidence. He added that deputies have questions for Speight, but his parents have refused to let him speak with detectives.
