Police: 'No reason to believe Scottie was assisted'

EATON, Ind. — Eaton police say they have no reason to believe anyone helped Scottie Dean Morris avoid detection during the eight days the 14-year-old Eaton youth was missing.

The Delta Middle School student disappeared after he left his family's Indiana Avenue home on the evening of March 16.

He was found, near Hartford and Harris streets, about 10:30 p.m. Friday.

"At this time there is no reason to believe Scottie was assisted by anyone while he was gone," the Eaton Police Department said in a Facebook posting on Monday. "However, this is still an open investigation."

More:Eaton teen is found; investigation continues

The teen reportedly indicated he was hiding on a rural property during the days he was missing. The news releases issued by Eaton police have not referred to his whereabouts.

"He has been medically checked out and has been cleared," Monday's Facebook statement said. "This will be the last update on this case at this time. Due to Scottie being a juvenile, we have to protect his rights to privacy."

The statement said the Indiana Department of Child Services has "this case now."

Large parties of searchers combed Eaton and the surrounding area in the wake of the teen's disappearance.

Last Thursday, hundreds of residents gathered at a local church for a candlelight vigil and a march to a local park, where they prayed for the boy's safe return.

Eaton police on Monday expressed thanks to "everyone that assisted in this search."

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: Police: 'No reason to believe Scottie was assisted'