Eaton police in Indiana confirmed Wednesday that the search for 14-year-old Scottie Morris, who vanished last week after a family argument, is still ongoing with the assistance of several agencies.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Indiana State Police issued a statewide Silver Alert Friday for Scottie, who was last seen around 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Eaton, where he lives. There was some sort of conflict in the home before he disappeared, according to Eaton police.
On Tuesday, police said they have suspended the public searches for Scottie, while Eaton Deputy Police Chief Chris Liggett said the department plans to discuss the next steps in Scottie’s disappearance with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, local agencies, and the Indiana State Police.
On Wednesday, Eaton Police Chief Jay Turner explained that the next steps will include working alongside several agencies while utilizing K9 units and “investigating diligently.”
“The search for Scottie Morris HAS NOT BEEN CALLED OFF!” Turner said on Facebook. “EPD is working side by side with the Indiana State Police, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, DNR, and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on this case.”
“Officers are following leads and investigating diligently. The use of Canine teams are still being conducted, therefore we are trying to lessen any interference with their operations.”
Search parties, including volunteers, emergency responders, and law enforcement searched throughout Eaton and the surrounding areas over the weekend, while school officials with the Delaware Community Schools provided busses and transport searches on Monday.
Turner said police have not had any previous dealings with Scottie or his family, adding that he disappeared after a “normal” family dispute with his mother, Felicia Morris. She’s currently cooperating with investigators, Turner added.
“It was over punishment,” Turner said. “And I think it was just a normal mom and son argument and he walked away.”
A photo was taken of Scottie on the day he vanished, with words scribbled on the front of his white T-shirt. “I’m a liar” and “cheat,” among other words, were written with what appears to be a black marker.
Police shared the image shortly after Scottie’s disappearance but have since censored the image after social media complaints.
“That was the ONLY photo that EPD 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,” Eaton police said on Facebook.
“We are very sorry the post seemed as if we were trying to shame him in anyway, as that would NEVER be our intent.”
There were also concerns about Scottie’s hair. In the same photo, his hair had been shaved, but Turner said the haircut was not a form of punishment.
“I will say, the shaved head was his idea, they went to Great Clips and it’s what he told them he wanted,” Turner said. “But, the shirt, it was quite unorthodox, kind of disturbing and we’re looking into that.”
Scottie is described as a white male who stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Along with the white T-shirt, he was wearing black and red shorts, and black shoes when he disappeared.
Anyone with information on Scottie’s whereabouts is urged to call the Eaton Police Department at 765-396-3297 or 911.
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[Feature Photo: Scottie Morris/Police Handout]
