Jake Massey
A missing teenager who was believed to be 'in extreme danger' has been found just minutes from where he vanished.
Scottie Dean Morris went missing in his hometown of Eaton, Indiana, on 16 March and volunteers from the local community came out in force to help police find the 14-year-old.
As part of the investigation, Eaton Police Department shared a photo of Scottie wearing a white t-shirt bearing with the words 'I'm a liar' and 'cheat', prompting a backlash and speculation about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
But on Friday night (24 March), at around 11pm local time, police announced that they had found Scottie.
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"We have THE BEST update to give," a Facebook post read. "Scottie has been located and found safe! Medics are checking him out right now and we will be conducting interviews. More info to come.
"We want to thank all of the agencies, departments, & volunteers that helped!"
The department subsequently explained that an officer had found him in a central part of town, around a five-minute walk from where he was last seen.
In a statement, Chief Jay A. Turner said: "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 continue to be conducted later today.
"We would like to thank EVERYONE for all their assistance during the last eight days."
The force later added that two people were brought in for questioning before being cleared of any involvement in the case.
Eaton Police Department had previously apologised for sharing the photo of Scottie in the 'liar' t-shirt.
Chief Turner wrote: "That was the ONLY photo that EPD (Eaton Police Department) was given to display and was quickly posted in an effort to help find Scottie ASAP.
"EPD Officers came in on their own time to search for Scottie Morris, and are still working hard to find him.
"We are very sorry the post seemed as if we were trying to shame him in anyway, as that would NEVER be our intent.
"When posting Scottie was not in trouble with the department, we meant we were here to help him and it is the intent of every officer to find him safely.
"Placing that photo on social media was in no way an attempt to embarrass or humiliate him. Actually, it was displayed as an investigation tool."