JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has issued an urgent plea for public assistance in locating an 11-year-old boy who went missing shortly after arriving home from school on Friday afternoon.
Authorities identified the missing child as Ryan White Jr., who was last seen in the area of Moncrief Road near 35th Street West. According to officials, Ryan was dropped off at that location by his school bus at approximately 2:40 p.m. When he did not arrive as expected or was subsequently reported missing, law enforcement initiated an active search effort.
“Due to his age, we want to make sure he is safe,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated in a release shortly after the disappearance.
Ryan is described as standing 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. At the time he was last seen, he was dressed in his school uniform, which consists of a dark blue polo shirt paired with khaki pants.
In a significant development for the search, investigators have alerted the public that the young boy is highly familiar with the local transit system. Police believe Ryan has an extensive knowledge of Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus routes and may be utilizing the city’s bus network to travel. Because of this, the sheriff’s office is urging transit staff, bus drivers, and daily commuters to remain vigilant and keep a close watch for anyone matching the 11-year-old’s description.
The search has prompted a widespread community response, with law enforcement actively encouraging the public to share photos and descriptions of the boy across social media platforms to help expand the search radius as quickly as possible. As the investigation continues into the evening, authorities are focusing on transit hubs and the areas surrounding his last known location.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who has seen Ryan or possesses any information regarding his current whereabouts to contact them immediately. Those with information are asked to call the JSO non-emergency line at 904-630-0500.
“Please share this post so we can spread the word faster,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote, emphasizing the importance of community visibility in ensuring the child is located safely and returned to his family.
Authorities have not released further details regarding what prompted his disappearance or where he might be headed, but they have categorized the search as a high priority. Residents living near the Moncrief Road area are also asked to check their private surveillance cameras for any footage that might show the boy’s direction of travel following his arrival on the school bus.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
