Eaton residents light candles, pray for missing Indiana teen's safe return

EATON, Ind. — A week after Scottie Dean Morris went missing from his family's Eaton home, hundreds of local residents gathered to light candles in his honor and pray for the 14-year-old boy's safe return.

Morris, a student at Delta Middle School, has not been seen since leaving his home on the evening of March 16.

On Thursday evening, residents gathered outside the Grace and Mercy Full Gospel Church, 301 E. Harris St., for a candlelight vigil and a march to nearby Norseman Park, where they prayed for the teen's return and tied green ribbons around a large wooden cross.

Scottie Dean Morris: Timeline of search for missing Eaton 14-year-old

Before the march, many residents sat quietly in the church's sanctuary, where a large display that featured candles and photos of Scottie Morris had been set up.

Among those in attendance — and helping to distribute helium-filled balloons that were released at the conclusion of Thursday's event — was Brendan Wright, a classmate of the missing teen.

"He's a great friend of mine and I just want to support him and his family," he said. "I've been sending prayers to them."

Wright said the disappearance of his friend has frightened some local youth because they fear Morris might have been kidnapped. Delta students have been on spring break this week.

'When it's a kid involved, it tugs at you'

Teresa Wilkerson said members of the missing teen's extended family attend Eaton First Baptist Church with her. She served as something of a coordinator for Thursday night's vigil and march.

"We would like to light this town up so Scottie can see how much he's loved and maybe even find his way home tonight," Wilkerson said. "Let's pray for that."

Selma residents Sheri Stewart and Vicki Cooper helped organize the prayer vigil after Scottie went missing.

"When it's a kid involved, it tugs at you," Cooper said. Stewart said the case had drawn "global" attention, noting she had communicated with concerned residents of New Zealand and Australia.

Eaton police: 'We're still searching every day'

Thursday's candlelight vigil appeared to draw both individuals and entire families, some bringing their toddlers and babies in strollers.

Eaton Police Chief Jay Turner and several of his department's officers were also on hand.

Turner said five area houses had been searched on Thursday.

While large organized searches involving volunteers concluded on Tuesday, "We're still searching every day," the chief said.

What we know:Scottie Dean Morris of Eaton, Indiana, still missing

On Thursday, Eaton police again issued an appeal for any Eaton residents who might have images — from security or surveillance cameras — on the evening of March 16 to check them for anything that could provide clues.

Turner said his department was now consulting with the FBI, among other law enforcement agencies.

One of those assisting agencies is the Delaware County Sheriff's Department. Its chief deputy, Jeff Stanley, was present at Thursday's vigil.

Stanley said the sheriff's department was willing to provide the Eaton investigators with "anything they need," from vehicles to personnel.

"They involved us from the beginning, which we're grateful for," Stanley said, "It's a very unfortunate situation and we're helping where we can."

Anyone with information on Scottie Dean Morris' whereabouts is asked to call the Eaton Police Department at 765-396-3297 or 911.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Scottie Dean Morris: Eaton community gathers for missing boy's vigil