On January 11, 2026, a wave of relief swept through Chickasha, Oklahoma, and surrounding communities as Ryan "RJ" Davis, a 12-year-old boy missing for more than a week, was found alive and safe. The discovery, made near Cement in Caddo County, marked the end of a tense and emotional search that had mobilized law enforcement, volunteers, and local residents alike.
RJ’s disappearance on January 2 had rattled the small town of Chickasha. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), RJ was last seen on foot at Fourth Street and East Grand Avenue, not far from the Quality Inn. The situation escalated rapidly when, just days after his disappearance, RJ’s biological mother, Kimberly Cole, and stepfather, George Cole, were arrested on suspicion of child abuse and sexual abuse. Both remain in custody in Caddo County as of January 11, 2026, with the district attorney processing the charges.
As the days stretched on with no sign of RJ, concern deepened. The OSBI, in collaboration with the Chickasha Police Department and other agencies, launched an intensive search effort. Drones, search dogs, and hundreds of volunteers scoured the rural landscape between Caddo and Grady counties. The OSBI also offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to RJ’s safe return on January 9, a move that underscored the urgency and seriousness of the case.
The community’s response was nothing short of remarkable. Residents gathered for a candlelight vigil on January 9, holding signs and sharing messages of hope: “RJ, come home, you are safe.” The turnout reflected not only the town’s anxiety but also its unity and compassion. According to KOKH, “Members of the community aided in searching for RJ, and the Chickasha community came together earlier this week at a vigil for RJ with the message 'RJ, come home, you are safe.'”
Behind the scenes, the search was relentless. Local law enforcement, the OSBI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and volunteer groups like the United Cajun Navy worked around the clock. “You’re talking about hundreds of people who came forward and did everything they could, working day in, day out to make sure that everywhere that was possible to be searched was,” said OSBI public information officer Hunter McKee during a press conference. “We’re talking about groups of people that just cared. They didn’t know who this boy was, exactly the full story, but they still stepped up and did everything they could to make sure that this young man was found safe.”
The breakthrough came around noon on Sunday, January 11. Two volunteers from Texas, members of the United Cajun Navy, located RJ hiding indoors near his previous home. The details of his ordeal remain under investigation, but those who found him described a poignant scene. “He was apologetic, terrified, super scared like he was gonna be in trouble. We reassured him this wasn’t his fault, he’s safe, and gave him a big hug,” one volunteer told Scallywag and Vagabond. “We had to get a tissue, I had to wipe his tears.”
RJ was immediately checked by first responders and law enforcement. Thankfully, he was found to be in good health. “From what the little bit I was told from the first aid that, that, the nurse that was there that, that kind of worked on him a little bit, said he was in, for all things considered, in really good health,” a volunteer explained at the press conference, as reported by KOCO 5. “He knew where the water was, he knew where his food was, and so he, he came through it pretty well.”
For law enforcement and volunteers, the outcome was a rare and rewarding one. “To say we’re excited is an understatement,” said a United Cajun Navy spokesperson. “We’ve been on plenty of these. It’s been the other, other way. So when you get to bring one home, it’s, it’s pretty rewarding. It’s quite the high.”
The case, however, has also cast a harsh light on RJ’s home life. This was not the first time RJ had gone missing, and his living environment had long been a source of concern. On January 5, RJ’s step-grand-aunt, Tina Molina, filed a protective order against Kimberly and George Cole. Law enforcement officials have been adamant that RJ will not return to his previous home or to the custody of his parents. “We can assure you, RJ was found safe, and at this point, he will not go back to that property or to those parents,” McKee said, echoing the community’s collective relief and resolve.
Chickasha Police Chief Goebel Music, visibly emotional at the press conference, reinforced this commitment. “RJ is safe, he is sound,” Music stated. “And we stand by our promise: He will not go back to that property.”
As the legal process unfolds, RJ remains in state custody. The OSBI and Chickasha Police Department are working closely with the Department of Human Services to ensure he is placed in a safe and nurturing environment. “He will be put into a safe home, which he deserves at this time moving forward, of course,” McKee affirmed.
While many questions remain—about where RJ was during his absence, what he endured, and what his future holds—the community is focused on healing and hope. The story of RJ’s disappearance and recovery is a testament to the power of collective action and compassion. As Chief Music put it, “I think what the important thing is our community regardless of socio-economics, regardless of race, creed, regardless, they came together because a 12-year-old needed help. To me that’s what’s important.”
In the end, the search for RJ Davis brought out the best in Chickasha and its neighbors. Their determination, empathy, and refusal to give up made all the difference for one young boy—and for a town that now knows the true meaning of community.
