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Mystery of Scottie Morris: Chilling CLUE spotted beside missing Indiana boy, 14, in photo with 'punishment' t-shirt

The image revealed a visibly upset Scottie Morrie with a shaved head and a t-shirt with black marker writings that read, 'I'm a liar' and 'I hurt my brother'

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EATON, INDIANA: Web sleuths have drawn attention to a "packed backpack" in a photograph of a clearly upset Scottie Dean Morris taken just before he vanished on Thursday, March 16, 2023. People are now worrying for the safety of the missing boy after he left his family's residence in the small Indiana town of Eaton while only wearing red and black shorts and a white t-shirt that read, "Liar."

After he went missing, authorities released a puzzling picture of the Indiana teen sporting the disturbing shirt. The image revealed a visibly upset Scottie with a shaved head and a t-shirt bearing the black marker writings that read "I'm a liar" and "I hurt my brother."

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What clue are online sleuths pointing to in Scottie Morris's case?

Since Scottie is pictured in the puzzling image seated next to a backpack, worried online sleuths have speculated that the bag may have been packed. The boy may have been ready to flee, according to unsupported theories spread by members of the Find Scottie Morris Facebook group, but there is no proof to support the assertion.

According to the police, Scottie got into a fight with his family and then fled the house. Investigators are "looking into" the shirt, according to Chief Turner, who called it an "unorthodox" method of discipline.

'Why have his school backpack beside him?'

A member of the Facebook group commented, "The picture of him on the steps shows a backpack sitting beside him. Makes me wonder what was in it and if he took it with him. Did they know he was leaving?" Another user replied, "I saw that, but could it have not been just a school backpack?"

One wrote, "I am hoping he has it with him somehow. The family isn't sharing any info. According to his sister he has nothing with him including no money nor phone." Another user claimed, "Anything is possible, but if he truly left at 8:30 that’s 3 hours between him getting home and “running away” so why have his school backpack beside him?"

One person commented, "Great point! Also, I messaged a Mom who's child was in class with SM on Thursday and SM was not wearing the shirt at school. So why would have have his school backpack next to him on the stairs later when he had the shirt on? Maybe he did pack it and some how has it with him."

'May have left home with it'

A Redditor speculated and wrote, "There is a bag next to him. I'd bet the parents thought sending him out on his own would teach him a lesson." One user on Twitter said, "Is very difficult to remain unbiased when you see the picture wearing the white T-Shirt. I’m trying not to judge, to wait for more info, but how can you take a picture like that & not ask why it was taken, why he look so upset & have a backpack near him?"

Another Twitter user said, "1/2 So if we listen to the searcher, she was told #ScottieMorris was a troublemaker at home and that is why he had to west the shirt. She said he claimed he was going to jump off a bridge yet he has his backpack beside him in the last pic. He is seen on camera at 8:30."

"It looks like he had a black Adidas backpack next to him in the white t-shirt photo. Scottie Morris may have left home with it. #scottiemorris #missingchild," claimed another social media user.

What is the current status of the investigation?

The parents underwent a polygraph examination shortly after Scottie vanished, but they have not been connected to his case, according to authorities. Turner claimed that they were cooperative at all times. In an emotional letter to her lost son, Scottie's mother Felicia Morris begged him to return home. She told the Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV, "I love you and I want you to come home. I know that you’re mad and confused." She added, "Everyone is out looking for you, and we’re not trying to scare you."

'We’ve done all the outskirts'

The search has since been halted, according to police at the Eaton Police. Officials and volunteers searching for Scottie have run out of places to look, according to police chief Jay Turner. He stated, "We’ve [searched] the entire town at least four times. We’ve done all the outskirts. We [searched] both the north and south sides of the [Mississinewa] river," as reported by The Sun.

Scottie is 150 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches tall. He usually sports glasses and has brown hair and blue eyes. Investigators are asking anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to contact them at (765) 747-7878.

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.