A 14-year-old boy who went missing after his parents forced him to wear a shirt daubed with the words ‘liar’ and ‘cheat’ has been found safe just moments away from where he vanished.
Scottie Dean Morris has been placed in a ‘safe environment’ while officers continue to interrogate his parents after a distressing photo of him in the shirt was used as part of the search.
Scottie had not been seen in his hometown of Eaton, 76 miles northeast of Indianapolis since 8.30pm on March 16.
A missing person alert said he was ‘believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.’
On Friday night the Eaton Indiana Police Department revealed they had found the teen in a central part of Eaton – around a five-minute walk away from the street where he went missing.
Eaton Police Department initially released a distressing photo of Scottie wearing a white t-shirt with the words ‘I’m a liar’ handwritten onto it with a marker pen. The picture was withdrawn but Scottie is thought to have been wearing the t-shirt when he went missing
Records show the street is the location of the family’s last known address.
Eaton Indiana Police Department said on Facebook: ‘We have THE BEST update to give.Scottie has been located and found safe.’
A further update read: ‘Scottie D. Morris was located by an Eaton Officer at Hartford Street and Harris Street.
‘Scottie was transported to an 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 CPS.
‘The family is cooperating with every aspect of the investigation. Interviews will be conducted later today.’
His aunt also posted the news on Facebook as she thanks officers for helping to locate the teen.
‘I want to say a HUGE thank you to the Eaton Indiana Police Department and all the surrounding agencies.
‘For all of the hard work and time you put into Finding my nephew Scottie also I want to thank all of the volunteers that helped search and organized events and donated food, drinks and just all out love and support to Get Scottie Home.
Scottie’s case captured Indiana after he went missing from East Indiana Avenue last Thursday
Police in Eaton suspended their search for Scottie on Monday night ahead of a meeting on Tuesday to decide the next steps
His mom, Felicia Morris, pictured, issued a desperate appeal to Scottie directly on Monday
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart you guys are the best!’
Scottie’s case captured the nation after he went missing from East Indiana Avenue last Thursday.
Photos emerged of him looking downcast wearing a shirt with the words ‘I’m a liar’ handwritten onto it with a marker pen and also appeared to say ‘I hurt my brother’.
His parents Felicia and Brian Morris had forced him to wear the shirt as punishment – though it is unclear what for.
They have both taken lie detector tests as part of the police investigation.
The picture was used to help locate the boy but police had to apologize for sharing the ‘humiliating’ image.
Police Chief Jay Turner said it was ‘the only photo’ the department was given and it was ‘displayed as an investigation tool’, suggesting it could hold clues about the circumstances of Scottie’s disappearance or aid the search.
The picture was reportedly taken the day Scottie went missing and Chief Turner confirmed to that he was made to wear it as a punishment.
The missing person note also says he was ‘last seen wearing black shoes, red and black shorts and a white T-shirt with writing on the front.’ It implies he was wearing it at the time of his disappearance.
This week officers were also forced to debunk a series of rumors about the case including that human remains had been found and that the search for Scottie had been called off.
The search was suspended on Monday night ahead of a meeting on Tuesday between law enforcement officials and other emergency services.
On the same evening mom Felicia Morris issued a desperate appeal urging him to come home.
Mum Brian and Felicia Morris have agreed to undergo Polygraph tests as part of the investigation
Scottie Dean Morris, second from left, with his siblings
Pictures of the search were uploaded to Facebook earlier this week
In an emotional appeal to her son, Scottie’s mother said: ‘Scott, I love you and I want you to come home.
‘I know you are mad and confused and I’m afraid you’re scared with all of this.Everyone is looking out for you, we’re not trying to scare you. You’re not in trouble.
‘If you’re in a house and they come to you and you don’t want to go out because it’s the cops, reach out. Me and dad will come get you. I love you and I just want you to come home.I need to know that you’re safe.’
Chief Turner added: ‘You’re not in trouble, we want to help you, just please contact us.’ He also said most of Scottie’s classmates are away on spring break and police are investigating whether he’s hidden in one of their empty homes.’
The recent cold weather in the region has also added to the concerns for Scottie’s wellbeing.Recent nighttime temperatures have fallen to as low as 34F.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had launched a search of local waterways, with boats, sonar systems, drones and dive teams on standby.