“There is light at the end of the tunnel. God is good,” the mother of 16-year-old Benjamin Adcock said

NEED TO KNOW

• A Florida mom learned her missing 16-year-old son was found alive during a live police press conference on Monday, Sept. 15
• The teen, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and mild autism, had been missing for nearly 48 hours before being located
• A good Samaritan recognized the teen from social media photos and helped reunite him with authorities and his family

In a surprise twist of fate, a Florida mom found out her missing son was alive during a televised press conference with police.

Olga Adcock, the mother of 16-year-old Benjamin Adcock, stood beside Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for a live plea to locate the teen on Monday, Sept. 15, when a woman’s voice off-camera delivered amazing news.

“[Benjamin] is one of five [children], he is the oldest of the siblings. So for him to actually be…” Hardwick said before trailing off, and asking, “I’m sorry?”

“They found him,” the woman said from the audience. WMTV 15 News shared a video clip of the interaction.

“Oh my goodness, gracious. Okay,” he replied, immediately turning to hug Benjamin’s mother.

Benjamin, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and mild autism, had been missing for nearly 48 hours before the press conference.

“Praise the Lord on my soul,” Olga said as she hugged Hardwick back. “Wow. There is light at the end of the tunnel. God is good. God is good.”

She and the sheriff spoke privately as they continued to embrace following the news that Benjamin was alive. However, the press conference microphone was able to pick up their conversation, which saw Hardwick telling the mom that the department would not only help her keep better track of Benjamin, but that his force would pay for it.

“It makes you want to cry, for goodness sakes, that’s the best outcome that could actually happen right now, is to have a mom next to you right now that says, ‘God is good,’ right?” Hardwick said in a statement. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

After Benjamin was reported missing, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office enlisted the help of additional law enforcement agencies and first responders, who searched for him on foot; with K9 teams, drones and helicopters; and assistance from a volunteer civilian search group, the sheriff’s office said.

A good Samaritan who noticed Benjamin from photos they saw on social media of the teen was able to lead him to the correct authorities.

“This is a citizen, paying attention, not afraid to call the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and bringing a 16-year-old boy home to his mom, Olga,” Hardwick said.

The sheriff’s office also offered resources for others who may have family or loved ones who are prone to wandering.

Individuals in need can register for bracelets or anklets containing small transmitters that emit a frequency signal and allow the person to be tracked through the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s “Project Lifesaver” program.

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There are also “K9 Scent Kits” that use the person’s personal belongings to preserve scents so police K9s can be used to track them, if needed.

The “SAFE Program” uses stickers that can be displayed on homes or vehicles to enhance communication between St. Johns County first responders and residents with special needs.

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