Teen Fakes Kidnapping, Shoots Himself to Prolong the Hoax
Caden Speight, 17, sparked a massive search effort in late September after allegedly sending alarming texts to his mother claiming he had been “shot” and abducted by four Hispanic men in a white van. He was reportedly wearing a MAGA hat at the time.
Authorities found Caden’s abandoned car along the highway, his phone broken in half, and launched a full-scale search with helicopters, ground units, and public appeals, fearing the worst.
But the shocking truth emerged the next day: Caden had fabricated the entire story. According to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, the teen had bought a bicycle, tent, and camping supplies beforehand and even shot himself in the leg—a non-life-threatening injury—to make the hoax seem real.
“Caden simply rode away toward Williston while the rest of us were left to think the worst, and my team was working overdrive to solve this case,” Sheriff Woods said. “There is ZERO chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant.”
Caden may now face charges related to the hoax, though authorities are still processing the evidence. The bizarre case serves as a cautionary tale about the extreme—and dangerous—lengths some will go to for attention.