Ryan "RJ" Davis Age 12 Reported Missing, Missing Oklahoma Boy RJ

Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy were conducting an independent search for 12-year-old Ryan “RJ” Davis near his family’s home in Caddo County when the missing boy unexpectedly revealed himself.

RJ had been reported missing nine days earlier by his mother and stepfather after disappearing from Chickasha. The search ended around noon on Sunday, Jan. 11, when he was found near his parents’ home in Cement. Authorities confirmed that he was safe and in good health.

According to volunteers, RJ calmly approached the searchers, and his first words were a simple apology: “I’m sorry.” The discovery brought relief to his family, the volunteers, and the wider community that had followed the search closely.

The day after RJ was found, authorities charged his mother, Kimberly Kay Cole, 33, and his stepfather, George Franklin Cole Jr., 43, in Caddo County court.

The couple faces multiple charges, including several counts of child abuse and other alleged crimes. Officials have not said whether the charges are directly related to RJ’s disappearance, and they have released few details about where the boy was or what he was doing during the days he was missing.

The search for RJ drew nationwide attention, including from the volunteer search and rescue group known as the United Cajun Navy. The UCN is a nonprofit group based in Louisiana that regularly assists government authorities in humanitarian and post-disaster relief.

A central Texas-based team from the UCN came to Oklahoma over the weekend to help with the search.