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Scottie Dean Morris: Cops search for missing Indiana boy, 14, believed to be in 'extreme danger’

A statewide Silver Alert has been issued for 14-year-old Scottie Dean Morris

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

EATON, INDIANA: Cops in Indiana are desperately searching for 14-year-old Scottie Dean Morris, who may be in "extreme danger" since his disappearance on March 16. Morris has brown hair and blue eyes, is 5'4" tall and weighs 150 pounds. He was last seen at 8.30 pm in the small town of Eaton when the boy disappeared. He was wearing a white T-shirt and red and black shorts.

The Eaton Indiana Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for Morris, the department's bulletin states. The bulletin states, "He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. If you have information about Scottie Dean Morris, please contact the Eaton Police Department at (765) 396-3297 or 911."

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Hundreds of volunteers have been searching for Morris alongside police since March 17, 7News reports. Some of the volunteers traveled from Fort Wayne and Indianapolis to join the search for the missing boy. "There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, and we thank each and everyone of you that have volunteered during this time! We will continue to post updates as we get them," the Eaton Police Department wrote on Facebook, sharing Sunday, March 19, that search efforts were suspended as Indiana State Police helicopters pointed infrared cameras at the search areas. They also wrote, "Scottie, please know we really do want to find you safe and help you anyway we can! if you read this, please contact us!" Police also released a statement asking Eaton residents to check their security camera footage or doorbells for signs of Morris.

What happened to Scottie Dean Morris?

Even though police have not shared much details on what exactly happened to the boy, they shared the last seen picture of Morris in white t-shirt that was filled by handwritten statements like, "I'm a liar," "I hurt..." and other disturbing lines. Many expressed their distress over the t-shirt writing, "Wtf is happening with his shirt?" Many claimed that the boy was shamed by his parents as one wrote, "His parents did this to him he was forced to wear that shirt to school. No wonder he ran away. I hope he finds a safe place to stay." While another commented, "Imagine the last picture taken of you before you went missing is where your parent(s) were shaming you. HS is full of shame & humiliation it shouldn’t come from parents (except unintended embarrassment like hugging your kid in front of friends)." A freelance journalist, Sarah Boyles, confirmed, "Many people asked when Scottie Morris from Eaton, Indiana was reported missing. He was, "initially reported as a runaway just 10 to 15 minutes after he walked out of his home" allegedly at 8:30 pm on March 16th."

A user named Rosa, with Twitter handle @901Lulu and who has over 28.3K followers, too has been providing details about the case, wrote, "The local police took a lot of heat for posting a picture of Scottie Morris wearing this shirt. As demeaning as it is, this is a part of his story. We can all clearly see why he ran away. He is barely clothed and it is freezing outside in Indiana." 

One of many users continued to plead, "Please use your platforms to help find #scottiemorris missing from Eaton, Indiana. He is 14 and believed to be in 'extreme danger'." A person pointed out, "Abuse by shaming. I'm wondering if they also shaved his head as an abuse tactic? Haven't read anything on this case yet, does he have siblings? If so, police need to see how far the abuse went." On the other hand, an upset user expressed, "This is devastating. Who could do that to their child?"

Who are Scottie Dean Morris' parents?

Scottie Dean's parents are Felicia and Brian Morris. The police or the parents have not made any official comments yet if they are involved or if there is any involvement, the details of the abuse. A page called, 'Find Scottie Morris' with over 4.1K members, which was originally created for other missing children who were both located safe, had comments flowing with one of the saying, "It's just weird. I have one friend on my fb page that shared this morning. Scottie is her husband's cousin. I really don't know her to ask questions so I won't. Like others I have only seen one other relative share the missing post." Melissa Morris May, who claims they boy is her nephew, updated her Facebook profile to the boy's picture.

One the page, a user name Jeneie Buck Carnes also claimed a connection with the 14-year-old. She wrote, "My son goes to school with him and says how nice of a kid he is. He sounds like a great kid. But he has heard rumors that the parents were hard on him. We live a couple roads over from them and I can’t drive through town without this terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something isn’t right. I pray all the time for him."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.