Cajun Navy Finds Missing Oklahoma Boy Safe After 9 Days

When 12-year-old Ryan "RJ" Davis went missing in Oklahoma, volunteer rescuers from the United Cajun Navy traveled hundreds of miles to bring him home safe.

Nine days after his mother and stepfather reported him missing, the volunteer search and rescue group found RJ indoors, unharmed and ready for help. Authorities believe the young boy had run away to find safety away from his home environment.

"He gave us a hug and we told him that he was safe and nobody was going to harm him anymore, and he gave us a big hug and he was ready to go eat some pizza," said Thomas Gentile of the United Cajun Navy. The moment marked the end of a community-wide search that gripped the small Oklahoma town.

Local police worked closely with volunteers and media outlets to spread the word about RJ's disappearance. Chickasha Police Chief Goebel Music asked news stations for help, and the strategy worked better than expected.

"How I know that to be true is that where I met and spoke with RJ, when I was hugging him, he said, 'Hey, I saw you on the news,'" Chief Music recalled. "So, what you did worked."

Police confirmed that RJ is now in a safe environment and will not return to the property where he previously lived. The decision ensures the young boy can heal and move forward without fear.

The Ripple Effect

The United Cajun Navy began as a grassroots volunteer group during Hurricane Katrina and has since expanded its mission to help with search and rescue operations across the country. Their willingness to travel to Oklahoma shows how community-driven organizations can fill critical gaps when children need help most.

The case also highlights how media partnerships and public awareness campaigns can save lives. Chief Music's decision to go public with RJ's story meant the boy recognized the chief's face when they finally met, building instant trust in a frightening moment.

RJ's safe recovery proves that when communities, law enforcement, and volunteers work together, missing children can come home.