JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – According to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, 16-year-old John Michael Jones is safe at home in Brandon after he was lured by someone on the road to his home and kidnapped.

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office received reports that Jones was missing around 8 a.m. Sunday.

The department immediately began its investigation and shortly after contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which issued a purple alert.

A Purple Alert is issued when the incident does not meet the criteria for a Blue, Silver, or Amber Alert.

“At that time, we were not aware of any facts or information related to an abduction, and for an Amber Alert to be issued, there must be an abduction, an act of violence involving the taking of a child from ‘one place to another. another,” said Rankin County Sheriff’s Office investigator Tyler Burnell.

The department initially thought it was a result of the teen’s battle with mental health, based on information provided by Jones’ family.

“He suffered from a lot of depression, he suffered from a lot of bad days related to grief over his deceased loved ones,” Burnell said.

Once they discovered Jones’ cell phone and debit card had not been used, the sheriff’s office contacted the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

Surveillance video led authorities to Kaleb James Cannady of Arkansas. An alert was issued for Cannady’s vehicle, a 2015 Dodge Charger with an Arkansas license plate.

Arkansas State Police located and arrested the 34-year-old man at his home, where they found Jones.

“He drove seven hours from his home in Arkansas to pick up this young man at or near his home in Brandon and then drove him seven hours back to the state of Arkansas,” Burnell said.

Authorities say Jones and Cannady were communicating online before Cannady convinced Jones to meet him.

“It took us a little over 24 hours to get the report and then track it down, recover it with the help of the Arkansas State Police and then, of course, the arrest of Mr. Kennedy ” Burnell said. “Very lucky in the collaboration there. It was absolutely huge.

Burnell says anything involving a child is the department’s top priority and that in Rankin County, most, if not all, missing children are found.

“We always want to make sure that the children are safe, and if they are not, we will move heaven and earth to try to find them,” he said.

The investigation is a collaboration between local, state and foreign law enforcement, but a big thank you also goes to the public. Attorney General Lynn Fitch released a statement to WLBT 3 On Your Side.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of interagency cooperation, not only within the state, but also across state lines. Many cases begin with advice from ordinary people who have their eyes open and are ready to take the actions that can save a life. Our office was honored to play even a small role in the thorough investigative work that led to the safe return of John Michael Jones.

Cannady faces criminal charges in Rankin County in connection with Jones’ disappearance, as well as other potential charges in Arkansas.

Jones is at home with his family and undergoing mental and physical examinations.

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