A vigil has been held for a missing teenager who vanished more than a week ago after being forced to wear a ‘disturbing’ t-shirt by his parents.
Scottie Morris, 14, was last seen at 8.30pm on March 16, leaving his home in Eaton, Indiana, wearing a shirt daubed with the words ‘liar’ and ‘cheat’.
Police launched a manhunt for the vulnerable teen, with a missing person alert saying ‘he is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance’.
A nearby church held an emotional vigil for the teen, who has been missing for eight days, as Eaton Indiana Police Department appeals again for any video footage of Scottie.
They are appealing for residents to check any footage they may have between 8.15pm and 11pm on the day he went missing – though there has been no sign of the teen since he vanished.
Scottie Morris, 14, was last seen at 8.30pm on March 16, leaving his home in Eaton, Indiana, wearing a shirt daubed with the words ‘liar’ and ‘cheat’
A nearby church held an emotional vigil for the teen, who has been missing for eight days, as Eaton Indiana Police Department appeals again for any video footage of Scottie
Dozens of people turned out for the candlelight vigil in the tiny town, with a family friend saying ‘let’s bring this child home’.
The Grace and Mercy Church hosted the event, starting with prayers and music, before candles were lit in honor of the missing teen.
The group then let off multi-coloured balloons as police continue to desperately search for the missing teenager.
Family friend Teresa Wilkerson said the family are ‘of course devastated, hurt, scared, very afraid’ and added: ‘We don’t know where Scottie is.
‘But we’re believing and we’re having faith that Scottie will see all of this tonight and see the love and the light and the community wanting him back.
‘His family is devastated. Scottie, your mom and dad love you, whatever happened, it’s OK.’
A friend of Scotties, Daxton Gunter said: ‘Some nights I can’t believe it. I really do miss him. I just wanted to stand here with him because it just feels like a part of me is missing since he’s gone.’
A photograph released by police show him with his head shaved and in a t-shirt which said ‘ I hurt my brother’ as well as having a sad crying face on it.
Dozens of people turned out for the candlelight vigil in the tiny town, with a family friend saying ‘let’s bring this child home’
Scottie’s parents, Felicia and Brian Morris, have taken lie detector tests as part of the investigation
Scottie’s mom, Felicia Morris, said: ‘I know you are mad and confused and I’m afraid you’re scared with all of this. Everyone is looking out for you, we’re not trying to scare you. You’re not in trouble.’
Scottie was said to be wearing black shoes, red and black shorts and a white T-shirt with writing on the front’ – suggesting he was in the offensive item of clothing at the time he vanished.
Police Chief Jay Turner said Scottie’s parents forced him to wear the shirt as a punishment, although it’s unclear what for.
However he said the photo was ‘displayed as an investigation tool’, suggesting it could hold clues about the circumstances of Scottie’s disappearance or aid the search.
Chief Turner said: ‘The shirt, it was quite unorthodox, kind of disturbing, and we’re looking into that.’
But the police chief shutdown speculation that Scottie was forced to have his head shaved, saying the boy’s haircut in the photo was ‘his idea’.
Police in Eaton suspended their search for Scottie on Monday last week ahead of a meeting to decide the next steps
Scottie Dean Morris, second from left, with his siblings. Scottie was last seen in his home town of Eaton, 76 miles northeast of Indianapolis, at 8.30pm on March 16
He said Scottie’s parents were heartbroken and ‘beat up pretty bad on social media’ after the picture of Scottie in the t-shirt was posted, adding: ‘Right now, they have cooperated the entire time with us.’
Deputy Chief Chris Liggett said on Monday that ‘there have been several interviews done, polygraphs have been conducted’.
But cops have also admitted that the investigation came to a ‘standstill’, after Scottie’s mother Felicia sobbed as she begged her son to come home.
In an interview last week she said: Scott, I love you and I want you to come home.
‘I know you are mad and confused and I’m afraid you’re scared with all of this. Everyone is looking out for you, we’re not trying to scare you. You’re not in trouble.
‘If you’re in a house and they come to you and you don’t want to go out because it’s the cops, reach out.
‘Me and dad will come get you. I love you and I just want you to come home. I need to know that you’re safe.’
His mom, Felicia Morris, has also issued a desperate appeal to Scottie directly, urging him to come home
A friend of Scotties, Daxton Gunter said: ‘Some nights I can’t believe it. I really do miss him. I just wanted to stand here with him because it just feels like a part of me is missing since he’s gone’
The recent cold weather in the region has also added to the concerns for Scottie’s wellbeing. Recent night time temperatures have fallen to as low as 34F.
Chief Turner added: ‘You’re not in trouble, we want to help you, just please contact us.’
He also said most of Scottie’s classmates are away on spring break and police are investigating whether he’s hidden in one of their empty homes.
Searches of some of those properties were expected to take place. Scottie is 5 foot 4 inches tall, 150 pounds and has brown hair with blue eyes.
The search operation has included infrared drones, a boat search of a nearby river and bloodhound teams.
Eaton is a small town of around 1,600 people and many residents have joined the search efforts in recent days.
‘There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, and we thank each and every one of you that have volunteered during this time,’ police said.
If you have any information on Scottie Dean Morris, contact the Eaton Police Department at (765) 396-3297 or 911.
Deputy Chief Chris Liggett said on Monday that ‘there have been several interviews done, polygraphs have been conducted’
Eaton Police Department has issued a second heartfelt plea for anyone in the area with footage from that night to come forward
The search operation has included infrared drones, a boat search of a nearby river and bloodhound teams
