At a Glance
- Gideon Ferguson, 14, was found safe on Jan. 17 after vanishing from his Cleveland, N.C., home on Jan. 14
- The teen survived two nights outside in temperatures that plunged to 15°F with wind chill
- He was discovered only 1.5 miles from his house after an around-the-clock search involving hundreds of officers and the FBI
- Why it matters: The case highlights how quickly a routine afternoon can turn into a multi-agency emergency and how vulnerable minors are in extreme weather
A 14-year-old North Carolina boy who disappeared after school on Wednesday afternoon has been found alive and is recovering from exposure after spending more than two days outside in sub-freezing conditions.
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office announced on Saturday, Jan. 17, that Gideon Ferguson had been located safe and was being evaluated by medical personnel. The discovery ended an intensive search that drew hundreds of local, state and federal responders.
Timeline of Disappearance and Search
- Wednesday, Jan. 14, 3:30 p.m. – Grandmother drops Ferguson off at home after school
- Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. – Mother reports him missing
- Saturday, Jan. 17 – Teen located 1.5 miles from residence
According to the FBI, Ferguson left behind his phone and other personal items, a detail that initially raised alarm. Sheriff Darren Campbell later confirmed the boy had intentionally abandoned the device in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
Search Efforts and Discovery
Law enforcement deployed search-and-rescue teams, K-9 units and aerial support across a wide radius. Temperatures during the period dropped to around 15°F when wind chill was factored, creating life-threatening conditions for anyone exposed overnight.
Campbell told reporters Ferguson “just wanted to be alone” after experiencing what the sheriff described only as “some issues” earlier that Wednesday. The events did not involve his family, Campbell stressed, but appeared to prompt the teen to flee into nearby woods.
The boy remained outside the established search perimeter for most of the ordeal, re-entering the area early Saturday and enabling searchers to spot him. He showed signs of exposure but was conscious and able to receive medical care on scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities emphasized that the probe is far from closed. Detectives are asking anyone who saw Ferguson between Jan. 14 and Jan. 17 to come forward.
“During the course of this investigation, we found there were indications at the home, not of a forced entry, but a person that had left a lot of things such as his phone and other technology that you would assume people would take with them if they left,” Campbell explained.
He added, “Through the course of investigation, we did figure out that Gideon did purposely leave his phone there.”
The sheriff’s office posted on Facebook: “Our investigation does not end with his safe recovery. We will continue to help bring answers to what type of situation this child has encountered since he was discovered missing on January 14, 2025. Right now, most importantly, he is safe.”
Community Reaction
Local residents expressed relief on social media, praising the coordinated response among the sheriff’s office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and FBI. Volunteers had distributed flyers and assisted in grid searches along rural roads and farmland surrounding Cleveland, a small community roughly 40 miles north of Charlotte.
Campbell credited the “around-the-clock” effort for the positive outcome, noting that such cases can easily turn tragic when temperatures plummet. He urged parents to maintain open communication with teenagers about stressors and to monitor any sudden behavioral changes.
What Happens Next
Ferguson remains under medical observation while detectives map his movements during the 54-hour gap. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby properties and interviewing classmates to determine whether anyone aided or influenced his decision to leave.
No charges have been filed, and authorities have not classified the incident as a runaway case or an abduction. Campbell said detectives will present their full findings to the district attorney once forensic analysis of the teen’s phone and additional interviews are complete.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI’s Charlotte field office.
