Missing teen located near home in eastern Iredell County

IFN Staff

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced Saturday afternoon that a missing teen had been located.

“This is the answer to all of our prayers!” Campbell said in a news release on social media. “Late this morning, Gideon Ferguson was found safe, and he is currently being evaluated by medical personnel.”

The teen was taken to a local hospital, where he was evaluated by medical personnel.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office extended its gratitude to the hundreds of law enforcement officers and search and rescue personnel from across the state, as well as the FBI, for their work since Gideon was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon.

The search effort included more than a dozen drones and K-9 units and the N.C. State Highway Patrol helicopter. Gideon was found about 1.5 miles away from his residence in an area that had been searched earlier.

“We are beyond thrilled to have told Gideon’s family he was safely recovered,” Campbell added.

In a news conference later Saturday, investigators said there was no evidence to indicate Gideon was forcibly taken from his home. The investigation was hampered because the teen apparently attempted to eliminate digital evidence before he left his home.

In the coming days, ICSO investigators will continue working to determine what led the teen to leave home Wednesday without any of his known electronic devices after being dropped off at his home in eastern Iredell County after school.

Campbell said that was not the most pressing issue on Saturday.

“Right now, most importantly he is safe,” the sheriff said.