Jayden Bell, the 17-year-old who went missing from the Nature Trail area of Port Richey last Thursday night, has been found safe. The Pasco Sheriff's Office confirmed the resolution Monday, closing out a search that began after Bell was last seen around 10 p.m. wearing a red hoodie, black pajama pants with cartoon characters, and black slides.
The update came in a brief post from the Pasco Sheriff
, which had been sharing details about the search since Bell was first reported missing. Deputies had described Bell, listed by the agency as a missing or runaway juvenile, as roughly 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The sheriff's office had asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward, directing tips to a non-emergency line at 727-847-8102, option 7, or through online submissions at pascosheriff.com/tips.
Bell's case unfolded alongside another missing-person search happening in Port Richey. Pasco Sheriff's deputies were also looking for 45-year-old Dustin St. Pierre, who had disappeared from Gray Fox Lane in Port Richey. St. Pierre was likewise found safe, according to Hoodline's earlier reporting on that search.
Port Richey and Pasco County
Port Richey itself has about 3,052 residents and covers 2.7 total square miles near the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River, according to the city's Wikipedia entry.
Why Deputies Move Fast on Missing Juvenile Reports
Deputies posted Bell's description and began outreach to the public.
Bell's case prompted public outreach.
The agency lists a dedicated non-emergency line and online reporting portal for tips and notes that its social-media account is not monitored around the clock.
In Bell's case, no further details have been made public beyond confirmation that he is safe.
