The FBI is now assisting in finding a 14-year-old Sarasota boy who has been missing since Labor Day.
The FBI, FDLE and Sarasota PD are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of 14-year-old Jabez Spann.
The reward was previously $25,000 and is now being doubled.
He has been missing since Labor Day and may have witnessed a murder.
Spann's family gathered for a news conference to plea for more information from the community on the whereabouts of Jabez Spann.
Jabez's Mother, Aunt and Grandmother stood at the Sarasota Police Department and begged for someone to come forward with information. Jabez's Grandmother choked back tears hoping someone has more information about his whereabouts.
Spann's mom, Tawana Spann, told ABC Action News she believes someone knows where her son is.
NOW: Grandmother Missing 14 yr old Jabez Spann chokes back tears pleading for info on his whereabouts @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/EXrc3PeUfc
— CarsonChambers (@CarsonChambers) September 26, 2017
"I don't know if they are holding him or if something has happened to him," Spann said. "I feel as though if there was nothing wrong with him, he would've contacted someone by now. There has to be information out there, there is somebody that knows something."
Spann said she heard from a number of different credible people that Jabez is in danger.
"Jabez was supposed to have witnessed something of a violent crime whether or not it's true or not," Spann said. A 14-year-old does not fall off the face of the earth, no social media, no nothing you are going to contact your friends, somebody."
"If a crime is being covered up over a life, there's something hugely wrong here," she said.
Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said they are following up on every lead. But, also said that the rumors and gossip surrounding Jabez's dissapearance have not been verified as credible.
Spann wants Sarasota to issue an Amber Alert. DiPino said there are no signs of foul play and at this point this case does not meet the requirements for an Amber Alert.
"We've heard those same exact rumors but we have nothing to substantiate that and until we actually have something willing to come forward, and tell us who they are, give us the information, and where they got it from, we have nothing," DiPino said.
"If you know anything you've got to give some kind of information to get this child back to where he is supposed to be," Spann said.
He is a black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a turquoise shirt. He has not been seen since September 4 in the area of 22nd Street in Sarasota.
"I'm asking you. If you want me to beg, fine but I know there has to be somebody out there with the heart that can say something, say something," said Spann's mother.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Sarasota Police Department at 941-366-8000 or 911.
