In a moment of profound relief, a Florida mother discovered her missing teenage son had been found safe while standing beside the sheriff at a press conference. Olga Adcock was pleading for assistance in locating her 16-year-old son, Benjamin Adcock, who has schizophrenia and autism, when the news broke.
Benjamin Adcock was last seen on Saturday walking away from his family's home in St. Augustine. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO) launched an extensive search operation involving K9 units, drones, helicopters, and civilian volunteers.
During a press conference on Monday to provide an update on the search, Sheriff Robert Hardwick was delivering information when an individual off-camera announced, "They found him." The sheriff then turned to console a visibly emotional Adcock.
"Praise the Lord. Oh, my soul. Wow. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you so much," Adcock's mother said.
Sheriff Hardwick assured the mother that the sheriff's office would help provide her son with a tracking device. He expressed the profound joy of the situation, stating, "It makes you want to cry, for goodness sake. That's the best outcome that could actually happen right now: to have a mom next to you right now who says, 'God is good,' right? It doesn't get better than that."
According to the SJSO, Adcock was located by a citizen who recognized him from his photo shared on social media. The sheriff highlighted the importance of community vigilance, noting, "This is a citizen, paying attention, not afraid to call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and bringing a 16-year-old boy home to his mom, Olga."
While Benjamin Adcock is reported to be in good health and receiving medical care, the SJSO is still seeking information regarding his whereabouts during the two days he was missing, from September 12 to September 14. His last confirmed sighting was at noon on Saturday, crossing SR 207 southbound. Search efforts had been concentrated near the Epic Theater plaza.
Benjamin Adcock is described as 5'11" tall, weighing 160 pounds, and was last seen wearing black cotton shorts and a gray T-shirt. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.