A Florida mother received the news every parent hopes to hear when she learned during a live news conference that her missing 16-year-old son had been found safe.
Olga Adcock was standing beside St. Johns County Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick on Monday as authorities appealed for help locating her son, Benjamin Adcock, who had been missing for nearly 48 hours.
Hardwick was speaking about the teenager when someone suddenly interrupted the briefing.
“They found him,” a woman could be heard saying from the audience.
The sheriff initially appeared surprised by the news before turning toward Olga and embracing her.
“Oh my goodness gracious. OK,” Hardwick said.
Olga hugged the sheriff and reacted with relief.
“Praise the Lord on my soul,” she said. “Wow. There is light at the end of the tunnel. God is good. God is good.”
The emotional moment unfolded live as the family and authorities learned that the extensive search had ended safely.
Nearly 48 Hours of Searching
Benjamin had been reported missing Saturday, prompting a large search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and first responders.
Authorities searched on foot and deployed K-9 teams, drones and helicopters. A civilian volunteer search group also assisted in the effort.
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said Benjamin was ultimately located after a good Samaritan recognized him from photographs that had been circulating on social media.
The person contacted authorities and helped get the teenager safely back into the care of officials.
“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.
Officials said Benjamin was safe and healthy after being found.
Investigators were still working to determine where he had been during the time he was missing.
Sheriff Shares Emotional Reaction
Hardwick later reflected on the moment Benjamin was found, describing it as the outcome everyone had hoped for.
“It makes you want to cry,” the sheriff said, adding that having the boy safely reunited with his mother was “the best outcome” authorities could have hoped for.
The sheriff's office also pointed to programs available to families of people who may be at risk of wandering, including Project Lifesaver, which uses tracking transmitters to help authorities locate registered individuals during emergencies.
After nearly two days of uncertainty, Benjamin's safe return brought the search to an end — and gave his family the news they had been desperately waiting for.