Volunteers organize search party for missing Murfreesboro teen
Dozens of volunteers formed a search party looking for a Rutherford County teen who went missing a week ago.
Riverdale High School student, Devin Bond, 16, seems to have disappeared. His little brother discovered he had put pillows and towels under his blanket to make it appear he was sleeping last Friday.
On Thursday, it was an all-out search party that gathered to map out a plan, with one goal in mind.
“We need the community to be looking and eyes open and searching,” said family friend Jennifer Edwards. “We need to bring this boy home.”
His cousin Brent Seabaugh, who organized the search, added, “As time has gone on, this is day seven, he’s a teenage boy he’s got to be eating. It rained several, several times, so he’s got to be getting shelter somewhere.”
That’s the hope, that he’s safe.
More than two dozen volunteers canvassed neighborhoods, handing out flyers and searched the walking trails at Barfield Park looking for the missing teen.
Others searched on ATVs.
“I just think about his family and I think about what they must be going through and my heart aches for them, and I just want to do whatever I can to help them find some resolution,” volunteer Davina Clements said.
The terrain is rough and rugged, a lot of rock, debris, hills and valleys. Volunteers are hoping they will find any sign of the missing teen.
“We focused on this area because this was last area his phone pinged,” Seasbaugh said. “It’s a long shot, but we got to start somewhere.”
The weather is also a concern to Murfreesboro Cold Patrol Director Jason Bennett, who helps provide shelter for the city’s homeless.
The temperature dropped overnight and could drop lower.
“Even last week, Friday and Saturday night was very cold,” Bennett said. “Hyperthermia can set in at like 40 degrees, so it’s definitely a concern.”
The search was called off mid-afternoon Thursday, but for volunteers like Bond’s football coach said family comes first.
“We spend a lot of time out there on the football field, and you know getting together so when one of us is in need, we try to do what a family does and help each other out,” said Riverdale High School football coach John Howse. “I just want to bring him home and just help his family. I know I would want somebody to do that for my son.”
Many of the volunteers were complete strangers.
“It sort of touches home. I got a 12 and 13-year-old daughter, where you know, if what I can do in the community to help somebody else, hopefully if anything would ever happen to my kids I would also get the same feedback from all of the other volunteers out here,” volunteer Shawn McNerney said.
Family members are also wondering if someone is hiding the teen.
“My take on it, I believe a friend is helping him,” Seabaugh said. “If they are, please have him call his mom, and let her know he’s ok.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said it has followed several leads into locating Devin, but nothing has developed. Authorities say finding him is of “utmost importance.”
If you have any information about Devin or if you see him, please contact the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 615-898-7770 or Detective Groce at 615-904-3049.
Another search will take place Friday beginning at 8 a.m.
Seabaugh is asking volunteers to meet in the parking lot of Walmart on Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
Courtesy of WKRN News 2
