JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 2/18/2020: Authorities confirm that Sam Booker has been found safe.
Duval County Public Schools released the following statement:
"We are thankful to learn that the Long Branch student was found, and we are grateful to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Regional Fire Department, Duval County Public School staff and all others who assisted in the search.
"One of the teachers at the school, Mr. Ansonio Mitchell, and a good Samaritan located the child in the area of Main Street and 45th Street.
"The student left his class without authorization. The teacher immediately informed the school administration, and an all-call went out over school radios to locate the student. Long Branch was staffed with a JSO Officer who assisted in the search. School administration also notified Duval County School Police.
“After it was evident the student had left the campus, the search expanded into the community.”
Original story below:
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a 10-year-old boy who walked out of his classroom Tuesday afternoon.
Police said Sam Booker was last seen around 1 p.m. today in the area of the 3700 block of Franklin Street near Long Branch Elementary.
Police said Sam walked out of his classroom around 1 p.m. and “due to the circumstances involved” police are asking for the public’s help in locating Sam to make sure he is safe.
JSO did not say exactly what those circumstances were.
Sam is described as 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing a red hoodie, blue jeans and red and white shoes.
Anyone who has any information on Sam’s whereabouts is asked to call 904-630-0500 immediately.