JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville family needs help finding a missing teenager who they say has special needs that keep him from finding his way home.
Ethan Caulder, 17, has been missing since Feb. 5 from Mandarin High School after running away from administrators there.
His father and grandmother told News4JAX he has learning disabilities and was fearful about what was going to happen to him after getting in trouble. They provided medical documentation to show he has trouble with dyslexia and his memory.
He did not have his phone with him at the time and they believe he can’t remember numbers to dial anyone from his family.
A report from Duval County Public Schools noted school police and Jacksonville sheriff’s officers searched for him the evening of Feb. 5 but couldn’t find him.
Since then, his loved ones said he’s been spotted along Youngerman Circle in Argyle Forest, Collins Road on the Westside, and, as recently as this week, near Philips Highway and University Boulevard and Philips Highway and Baymeadows Road on the Southside. But by the time they’ve gotten there, he’s been gone. They continue to drive around the city with family and friends.
They’ve handed out hundreds of flyers and have posted signs in those areas.
One flyer reads: “Ethan – U R NOT IN TROUBLE – COME HOME.”
They claim school leaders are not providing enough resources to bring him home safely.
We reached out to DCPS and a spokesperson said:
“We are aware of this situation and are hopeful that this student will be found safe. School leadership and staff have been fully cooperating with JSO and school police in their investigation.”
Since he left voluntarily, his case does not qualify for a Florida Amber Alert.
Caulder is 5′10″ tall, weighs about 150 pounds, and has short dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and gray slides.
If you know where he is, call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS if you want to remain anonymous.
You can also reach out to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or by going to this website.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
