Dunnellon, Florida — A 17-year-old Florida teen was arrested after authorities discovered he staged his own abduction and shot himself in the leg, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The bizarre case began when the teen, identified as Caden Speight, sent a text message to his family claiming he had been shot, triggering an intense multi-agency search.
Deputies responded to SW Highway 484 in Dunnellon on September 25, where they found a truck belonging to Speight. Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered a bullet hole through the windshield, suspected blood, a destroyed cellphone, and drag marks nearby — initially suggesting a violent kidnapping. However, after analyzing evidence, detectives uncovered a very different story.
Elaborate Hoax Uncovered By Investigators
According to the sheriff’s office, Speight had orchestrated the entire scene. He allegedly fired the shot himself, spread blood inside the vehicle, and damaged his phone to make the incident look real. Afterward, he reportedly fled on a bicycle, carrying camping supplies he had purchased from Walmart just before sending the distress message.
Authorities say the investigation consumed extensive law enforcement resources. “A vast amount of MCSO resources and personnel, along with numerous other agencies, were deployed to search for Speight and collect evidence,” officials said in a statement…