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Search on for missing teenager
Published April 5, 2008
LITTLETON — More than 60 volunteers and law enforcement officers spent Thursday searching for 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone, who has been missing for nearly two weeks.
Stone was last seen just after noon on March 24 walking along Littleton Cut-off Road near his home with his family pet dog.
Thursday’s full-scale search centered on the family’s home and the last known place Stone was seen, fanning out from there to cover a 10-square-mile area nearby.
“The area is really rural, with lots of caves, streams, hills and wooded areas,” said Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin.
“We have searched hard up until now with the family’s help but nothing has turned up. We have been following up every lead made known to us, but to no avail. Today, we are going to start at ground one and look for him.
“His family has been helping. We have interviewed everyone. The family just would love to find their son and get him back.”
Using helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, horses and on foot, volunteers from the Etowah County Rescue Squad, the Sheriff’s Department and surrounding volunteer fire departments spent the day looking for Stone, described as a 6 foot 3 inch, blond-headed teenager weighing 155 pounds. He is a student at Sardis High School.
Stone’s stepmother reported him missing after he failed to return from a walk March 24. His father was reportedly at work at the time.
The mood at the school was somewhat somber Thursday as students talked about Stone and contemplated his whereabouts. Fliers with Stone’s photo and description were hung on doors and walls with several copies available for distribution in the main office.
Several students, who asked not to be identified, said they had seen him local stores, including Wal-Mart and the Jet-Pep gas station, or had heard stories of sightings by other students.
Some speculated Stone was “just causing drama,” but expressed hope he would soon turn up, both alive and in good health.
Entrekin said Stone has a history of running away from home, although he usually returned after a short time. His dog returned to the family home March 25, but Stone has not been seen or heard from since.
His father, Jeff, stepmother, Lynn, and 13-year-old younger brother were at the command center set up at the Anchor Baptist Church in Attalla early Thursday morning assisting in the search. All three declined to comment and were visibly anxious and upset.
Searchers studied topographical maps and area road maps, deciding where pairs of searchers would begin the day. Trailers were set up at the church, providing food, water and snacks to searchers throughout the day as needed.
By the end of the day, no leads or sign of Stone had turned up. Entrekin said the full-scale search was executed on Thursday in an effort to avoid severe weather and rain forecast for the weekend.
Entrekin requested anyone with information about Stone and his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 546-2825.
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