Local

Missing Flagler County 17-year-old found alive after days-long search

6:39 p.m. TUESDAY UPDATE: A 17-year-old boy, who had not been seen since last week, was found alive in Palm Coast Tuesday evening, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said.

Rickey Wheeler, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, had been missing since Sept. 21 and did not have his medication, officials said. Deputies said he left his Palm Coast home last week without a cellphone, medication, or a bank card.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said deputies found Wheeler's clothes, but not him.

Crews then found Wheeler while continuing to search closer to his neighborhood. Investigators found him at the end of a dead-end road in a development site.

THANK YOU! Putnam County Deputy Emmett Merritt and partner K9 Putnam on locating Rickey Wheeler!

Posted by Flagler County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, September 25, 2018

“I want to thank everyone for their tips, emails and support during this search. I believe that Rickey Wheeler was found alive because of the massive efforts from our employees, our great community and volunteers and support from our neighboring law enforcement agencies along with our local fire/rescue departments,” said Sheriff Staly.

Bloodhounds were used as part of the search, the Sheriff's Office said.

Wheeler was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler where he was reunited with his family. He is in stable condition.

RICKEY WHEELER FOUND ALIVE!

Posted by Flagler County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Original Story:

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office deployed its "Mounted Posse" Monday to continue the search for Rickey Wheeler, the 17-year-old who has been missing since Friday.

The posse was searching a wooded area for the missing and endangered teen.

The sheriff's department asked members of the community to check their immediate surroundings and property for signs of Rickey.

Rickey is 5 feet, 9 inches, 110 pounds and was last seen wearing camouflage-pattern army shorts, green Nike sneakers and a gray shirt with blue stripes.

STORY: FDLE issues a Missing Child Alert for Flagler County teen

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Missing Child Alert on Sunday for Rickey.

Officials said Rickey is missing and endangered because of his diminished mental capacity.

Rickey was last seen near the 700 block of Madison Green Circle in Palm Coast, Florida.

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of Rickey, please contact FDLE or the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at (386) 313-4911.

 RELATED STORY: Deputies search for missing 15-year-old from Bradford County