A 35-year-old Jacksonville man with autism is missing after being released from Duval County jail, and his family says he needs 24-hour care to manage basic daily tasks. Frederick Wiggins cannot use a phone, according to his mother, making the search especially urgent.
Wiggins was arrested on July 11 after an altercation with his mother and charged with aggravated battery involving a victim known or reasonably expected to be pregnant, according to Action News Jax. The station reported that the charge was dropped after the alleged victim did not cooperate with the investigation, and Wiggins was released on July 31; his mother said she was not notified and believed he was still expected in court. Action News Jax also reported that Wiggins has no criminal history.
The JSO missing-person listing identifies Wiggins as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt, black sweatpants and black slippers, and police list the Duval County jail as his last-seen location. Anyone who sees him is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500; anonymous tips can also be submitted through First Coast Crime Stoppers using case number 2026-00456877.
Family Says Release Left Him Without A Safety Net
Wiggins’ mother, Shantel Stokes, told Action News Jax that she handles his food, clothing, medication and daily care. “He cannot live on his own,” Stokes said, adding that the family had previously asked police to help him obtain mental-health care.
Action News Jax said it also requested records from JSO about policies governing the release of people with special needs and was still waiting for a response. The case comes as the sheriff’s office continues to handle a steady stream of missing-person calls involving people with cognitive disabilities.
In its 2024 annual report, JSO said it investigated 2,966 missing-person incidents, including 113 involving people with autism. The agency said it also evaluated 195 people with cognitive disabilities for additional resources and operates programs such as REVAMP and scent-preservation kits intended to speed searches for vulnerable residents.
