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An urgent Amber Alert is rippling through Marion County, Florida tonight as investigators intensify the search for 17-year-old Caden Speight, last seen Thursday near the 12800 block of Southwest Highway 484 in Dunnellon. Speight—described as 6 feet tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and eyes—may be traveling in a light-colored van with four unidentified males, possibly Hispanic, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Authorities urge the public not to approach the vehicle if spotted but to dial 911 immediately. Why the alert matters • Marion County accounts for some of Central Florida’s most-traveled trucking corridors, meaning the suspects could exit the county quickly if residents don’t act fast. • The first two hours are critical in missing-teen investigations; FDLE says more than 75 percent of abducted minors who are recovered alive are found within that window. Timeline of events • 3:45 p.m. ET – Caden is believed to have left a residence off SW Hwy 484. • 5:10 p.m. – A neighbor reportedly sees a light-colored van idling nearby. • 7:48 p.m. – FDLE issues the statewide Amber Alert. Key details to watch for • Vehicle: Light or off-white full-size cargo van, sliding side door, tinted rear windows, possible rust near the wheel well. • Companions: Four males, late teens to early 20s, medium builds; at least one individual wearing a dark ball cap. • Clothing: Speight was last seen in blue jeans and an “unknown-colored” T-shirt. Community response Local Facebook groups lit up within minutes of the alert, with residents reposting surveillance-camera captures of similar vans. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has requested doorbell-camera footage from homes within a five-mile radius of SW Hwy 484. Ocala and Belleview police departments have joined the effort, setting up checkpoints along I-75 and U.S. 441. What you can do now 1. Check home and business security cameras for activity between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday. 2. Share Caden’s photo and vehicle description across social media platforms. 3. Call 911 or the MCSO tip line at 352-732-9111 with any information—no detail is too small. Safety tips for parents in Marion County • Enable “Find My” or similar location-sharing apps on teens’ phones. • Create a family password that must be used before a child gets into any vehicle. • Teach teens to call 911 immediately if they sense they are being followed. Looking ahead Search teams plan to deploy drones with infrared cameras at first light, focusing on wooded areas south of Dunnellon. FDLE analysts are also combing traffic-camera data along the I-75 corridor in case the van crossed county lines. The last Amber Alert issued in Marion County resulted in a safe recovery within 14 hours after a citizen recognized the suspect’s vehicle from a highway sign. Authorities hope for a similar outcome tonight—but they stress that public vigilance is paramount. Anyone who spots the light-colored van or has direct knowledge of Caden Speight’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.