Florida mother is told her missing 16-year-old schizophrenic son was finally found, but her reaction raises eyebrows instead
Viewers found it odd.
A teen was missing for nearly two days before he was located with the help of the public in Florida. The teen’s mother learned of the news during a press conference with law enforcement. However, what should have been a joyous celebration ignited curious responses from viewers who noticed her reaction to the news.
On Saturday afternoon, Olga Adcock reported that her 16-year-old son Benjamin, who was diagnosed with mild autism and schizophrenia, went missing in St. Johns County, Florida. In response, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) rallied first responders and law enforcement agencies to help in their search for Benjamin. SJSO said they had utilized search on foot, drones, helicopters, K9 teams, and volunteer civilians in their mission to bring home the teen.
After nearly two days of searching, SJSO held a joint live press conference with St. Johns County Fire Rescue on Sept. 14 in a bid to gather more support for the search. Adcock joined Sheriff Robert Hardwick as they spoke with the press. But in the middle of the conference, Adcock and Hardwick were told by a person in the audience that Benjamin had been found.
Florida mother’s reaction under scrutiny
Benjamin was reportedly spotted by a good Samaritan, who recognized his photo from social media, and made a call to report his location. The news had Hardwick and Alcock in an embrace as they celebrated Benjamin being found. “Praise the Lord. On my soul,” Alcock said. “Wow. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Hardwick also expressed his relief at Benjamin’s safe return. “It makes you want to cry, for goodness sakes,” Hardwick said. “That’s the best outcome that could actually happen right now is to have a mom next to you right now that says, ‘God is good,’ right? It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The moment was shared by ABC, which amassed over five million views on Instagram. But Atlanta Black Star reported that viewers noticed Adcock’s reaction to the news that had them raising eyebrows instead.
Viewers reportedly honed in on Adcock’s demeanor and claimed that her reaction didn’t seem like that of a mother who just learned her missing child was found. “Wow she seems very disappointed he was found,” one viewer wrote. Another added, “The officer was more excited about the news than her. I know, people react differently, but she looked very disappointed that he was found.”
Others gave their own example of how they would react. “My knees wouldve gave out and I wouldve sobbed. Then got up and ran to where he was. What kind of reaction was that…!?!?” a viewer said.
Parents are at risk of developing mental health problems
Some were a bit more blunt: “I’ve shown more reaction when I lost and found my favorite underwear.” Another mentioned Netflix and its tendency to produce documentaries, saying, “This is a Netflix documentary waiting to happen.”
Viewers also came to defend the Florida mother, arguing that what she needed was support, not criticism. “This mother needs support. She might be physically and emotionally exhausted. Some mothers actually experience abuse/physical harm at the hands of their adolescent and adult children. Help this mother with resources and compassion- she looks absolutely spent,” a viewer said.
According to a study by Jessica Hoyle and James and Sarah Laditka, research showed that parents of children with developmental disabilities are at greater risk of developing mental health issues compared to other parents. With an older, independent child, the odds of mothers facing depression and anxiety were three times higher, and over twice as high for fathers.
The research recommends that parents with developmental disabilities be offered a reprieve and an increase in emotional support. Parents are also encouraged to develop approaches in response to challenging behaviors.
Meanwhile, the SJSO has launched several programs to safeguard those who are prone to wandering, such as the Project Lifesaver. The program enables individuals to register for anklets or bracelets containing small transmitters that allow law enforcement to locate them using a frequency signal. Hardwick reportedly offered to register Benjamin in the program.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
