Mark Degner, a 12-year-old boy, disappeared on February 10, 2005, from Jacksonville, Florida. Mark, along with his 13-year-old friend Bryan Hayes, left Paxon Middle School after an argument with a teacher at around 1:15 p.m. Both boys were special education students, and their sudden departure from school sparked immediate concern. Witnesses reported seeing Bryan get into a car, although it remains unclear if Mark was with him at the time.
Neither boy took any personal belongings with them, including coats or school bags, leading to early speculation that they had run away.
Despite initial assumptions that the boys were runaways, concerns quickly escalated due to their medical conditions. Mark was developmentally delayed, with the emotional maturity of a child much younger than his age, and he also required medication for bipolar disorder. Bryan also had a medical condition that necessitated daily care. The boys’ disappearance became more alarming when neither was heard from in the days and weeks following their escape from school.
Although some reports suggested the boys had previously talked about running away, the lack of contact and their vulnerable conditions have led authorities to fear that they may have met with foul play. Extensive searches were conducted, but no significant leads were found. Both boys remain missing to this day, with investigators classifying them as endangered missing persons. Periodic updates, including age-progression photos, have been released in hopes of generating new leads, but their case remains unsolved.Last Seen: Feb 10, 2005
