A Florida teenager was arrested this week after allegedly staging his own kidnapping and shooting himself in the leg to make the hoax appear real. The incident sparked an urgent multi-agency search that lasted for days, as reported by The New York Post.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that 17-year-old Caden Speight faces several charges, including filing a false report, firing a gun into a vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a minor.

### The Disappearance and Initial Investigation

Authorities began investigating after Speight vanished from Dunnellon, a city northwest of Tampa, on September 25. Deputies discovered his abandoned truck with a bullet hole through the windshield, drag marks in the dirt, and what appeared to be blood near the scene.

Investigators also found bicycle tracks leading away from the area, along with a damaged cellphone. Initial information led authorities to believe Speight had been abducted by “four Hispanic men” driving a light-colored van — a claim based on text messages he had sent to his family.

The messages prompted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to issue an AMBER Alert and deploy a helicopter to conduct an overnight search.

### Turning Point in the Case

However, the case took a turn when deputies learned that a witness saw Speight leaving the area on a bicycle, contradicting his abduction story. Investigators also discovered he had purchased camping supplies at a local Walmart shortly before his disappearance.

According to detectives, searches found on Speight’s laptop revealed he had asked questions about “collecting his blood without causing pain” and “Mexican cartels,” which raised further suspicion. The sheriff’s office also said the teen had previously mentioned wanting to run away.

### Recovery and Arrest

Three days later, on September 28, officers located Speight roughly 25 miles from where he was first reported missing. He was suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg, which shattered his femur and required immediate medical treatment.

Deputies recovered a handgun and the bicycle he had used to leave the area. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office released a statement:

> “The initial details that Caden texted to his family were proven to be false. Completely made up. We did find evidence of a single gunshot where Caden left his truck. However, his claims that he had been shot and abducted were quickly disproven.”

Despite the mounting evidence, officials said Speight did not confess to fabricating the hoax when questioned. After the investigation concluded, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.

Speight was taken into custody and is currently being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/10/florida-teen-arrested-over-elaborate-fake-kidnapping-and-self-inflicted-gunshot-hoax-watch/