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FBI Offers Reward After Ohio Teen Missing Since Witnessing Father's Death
FBI is offering a $15,000 reward for information regarding Jacob Lee Caldwell's location, after the boy disappeared following witnessing his father's death.
An Ohio teen is still missing after reportedly witnessing his father being killed in 2017.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation put out a Missing Person report for Jacob Lee Caldwell, who was last seen on August 21, 2017, in Sugarcreek Township, Ohio. The blonde, blue-eyed 14-year-old boy witnessed the fatal shooting of his father, Robert Caldwell, on August 15 along with his two siblings, according to an FBI news release. At a subsequent press conference, federal authorities announced that the teen was reported missing six nights after his father was killed. His grandmother went to check on him before alerting authorities that Jacob was missing.
Although the teen boy vanished just days after his father's death, police have a new break in the case of Robert Caldwell's death and believe someone is helping the teen stay hidden.
On March 13, six people were indicted in connection with the killing of Robert Caldwell, authorities said. One of the people indicted is 33-year-old Tawnney Caldwell, who is Robert's ex-wife and the mother of his three children including Jacob. Others indicted included 25-year-old Chance Deakin, 34-year-old Sterling Roberts, 30-year-old Christopher Roberts, 55-year-old James T. Harmon, and 54-year-old Chandra D. Harmon on federal charges. Tawnney and Sterling Roberts were both charged with murder.
According to the authorities, Sterling is accused of stalking Robert via cell phone with Tawnney's help in the days leading up to his death. The DOJ news release states that they believe Sterling used an illegal firearm and "traveled interstate to stalk and murder Robert Caldwell."
Tawnney is reportedly also accused of destroying the data of a cell phone used the day Robert died as well as aiding and abetting Sterling's illegal gun possession along with helpers Deakin, Christopher Roberts, and James Harmon. She is also accused, alongside Chandra Harmon, of conspiring to intimidate and threaten witnesses related to the case, according to People.
The bizarre case unfolds like a nightmare. How is Jacob's mother related to not only her ex-husband murder but also to her son's disappearance?
Despite the teen going missing just days after his father's death, the FBI believes that Jacob is likely no longer in Ohio and might even have a new look and identity, according to the Dayton Daily News. Officials also revealed that they believe someone must know where the teenager is since reportedly running away after the Caldwell children's custody was given to his grandparents following his father's death.
The shooting the Caldwell children's father occurred in broad daylight, investigators have said, in a Riverside office building parking lot at Woodman Drive and Linden Avenue. Before being charged, Sterling was captured in South Caroline just days after the shooting and held in connection. Meanwhile, the boy's mother has been uncooperative in the search for her son, Sugarcreek Twp. Police Chief Michael Brown said in September, and the authorities believe that someone is helping Jacob stay hidden.
Officials are now offering a $15,000 reward for any information about the teenager that would lead directly to the location of Jacob Lee Caldwell. Anyone with information on the boy's disappearance is urged to call 937-310-3200 or head to tips.fbi.gov.
[Photo: Federal Bureau of Investigations]
