Anthony Yates
A missing teen case gained national attention last week when law enforcement discovered he had fabricated the entire incident. The search triggered a multi-agency response, but one search and rescue team leader is sad that money is part of the conversation.
Videos by Rare
What happened: The Marion County Sheriff’s Department described the case in a news release on Facebook. 17-year-old Caden Speight reportedly told his parents via text that he was abducted and shot.
- Authorities allege that Speight made everything up and even shot himself in the leg to make his story more believable. Detectives quickly began dismantling his story. They also discovered he purchased camping gear before the alleged abduction. The Sheriff said criminal charges are not “off the table” and noted community concerns about the cost of the investigation.
- According to a report by WCJB, Marion County Search and Rescue Team Director Frank Marino is “extremely bothered” about claims made by the Uvalde Foundation for Kids. The foundation reportedly stated it’s considering charges against Speight and his mom. Marino alleges they may also seek reimbursements.
The Search And Rescue Team Director Explains How They Are Funded
It’s not about the money: In an interview with WCJB, Marino said the Search and Rescue team operates on donations and is staffed by volunteers. He also questioned the Uvalde Foundation’s involvement, as they don’t even operate in the same state.
- “Number one is how they got involved, because they are located in Texas. And I know at the time the incident was happening, the sheriff’s department was not calling for volunteers,” Marino explained. “One of the major rules on a search and rescue team is you do not self-deploy.”
- The director reportedly told the outlet they aren’t concerned about costs and never ask for reimbursement. “We show up, do our thing, look for the person, and we leave. We never ask, we never charge for our fees, we just quietly pack up when it’s done and prepare for the next search,” he stated.
- The Marion County Search and Rescue team did not write an additional statement on social media, but did link to the WCJB article.
