Teen went missing days after seeing father fatally shot in Riverside

Sugarcreek Twp. police Chief Michael Brown held a press conference Thursday afternoon to discuss the status of missing boy Jacob Caldwell.

Brown says they have exhausted all leads trying to find Jacob and now they are asking for help.

He stated the boy’s mother has been uncooperative in the ongoing search for her son, and police believe there is someone helping Jacob Caldwell stay hidden.

If you have any information on the location of Jacob you are asked to call 937-848-6161.

FIRST REPORT

A 14-year-old male who witnessed the fatal shooting of his father in Riverside ran away from home days after the incident and he has not been seen since.

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Sugarcreek Twp. poilce are looking for Jacob Caldwell, the son of Robert Caldwell, who was fatally shot the afternoon of Aug. 15 outside an office building at Linden Avenue and Woodman Drive.

Jacob is listed as an "endangered runaway" missing since Aug. 21 on Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's website.

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The blond-haired, blue-eyed teenager, along with his two brothers, witnessed the fatal shooting. The suspect in the case, Sterling H. Roberts, 34, is in custody awaiting extradition from South Carolina, where he fled from Ohio authorities.

Sugarcreek Twp. Detective Lesley Stayer said they are concerned for Jacob’s welfare because he was a witness to his father’s slaying and it’s not known how he is processing that event.

Custody of Caldwell’s children was given to the grandparents, who reported that Jacob ran away Aug. 21.

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Jacob’s mother, Tawnney Thomas, has raised $1,245 toward a $5,000 goal through an online fundraiser titled “Find Jacob and get boys home.”

Detective Stayer said Thomas lost custody of her children prior to the fatal shooting and she is not cooperating with their efforts to find Jacob.

Sugarcreek Twp. police Chief Michael Brown saidthey have exhausted all leads trying to find Jacob and now they are asking for help.

He stated the boy’s mother has been uncooperative in the ongoing search for her son, and police believe there is someone helping Jacob Caldwell stay hidden.

This news organization is working to get in touch with the mother for comment.

A member of the Caldwell family said they are not willing to speak publicly about the case at this time.

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If you see Jacob or can help in the investigation, call Detective Stayer at 937-310-3200.

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