JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – 16-year-old John Michael Jones is safe at his home in Brandon after being lured and kidnapped to meet someone down the street from his home, according to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office received reports that Jones was missing around 8 a.m. Sunday.

The department immediately began investigating and soon reached out to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which issued a Purple Alert.

A Purple Alert is issued when the incident does not meet Blue, Silver or Amber Alert criteria.

“We were not aware of any facts or information regarding an abduction at that time, and for an Amber Alert to be issued, an abduction must occur, some type of violent act must occur in the removal of a child from one location to another,” said the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office researcher Tyler Burnell.

The department initially thought this was a result of the teen’s struggle with his mental health, based on information from Jones’ family.

“He was suffering from a lot of depression, he was having a lot of bad days related to the pain of his deceased loved ones,” Burnell said.

When they discovered Jones’ cell phone and debit card were unused, the sheriff’s office reached out to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

Surveillance video led authorities to Kaleb James Cannady of Arkansas. A Be Careful document was issued for Cannady’s 2015 Dodge Charger with Arkansas license plate.

Arkansas State Police located and arrested the 34-year-old at his home, where they found Jones.

“He drove seven hours from his home in Arkansas to pick up this young man at his home or near his home in Brandon and then drove him back to the state of Arkansas seven hours later,” Burnell said.

Authorities say Jones and Cannady communicated online before Cannady convinced Jones to meet him.

“We spent a little over 24 hours getting the report and finding him, recovering him with the assistance of the Arkansas State Police, and then of course arresting Mr. Kennedy,” Burnell said. “We are very lucky in terms of cooperation there. “It was absolutely huge.”

Burnell says anything involving a child is the department’s top priority, and most, if not all, of the missing children in Rankin County have been found.

“We always want to make sure kids are safe, and if they’re not safe, we’ll move heaven and earth to find them,” he said.

The investigation was conducted with the cooperation of local, state and out-of-state law enforcement, but we also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the public. Attorney General Lynn Fitch released a statement to WLBT 3 On Your Side.

“Cases like this underscore the importance of interagency collaboration, not just within the state but across state lines as well. Many cases begin with tips from ordinary people who are wide-eyed and ready to take life-saving steps. Our office is committed to the safe return of John Michael Jones.” “He was honored to play even a small part in the incisive investigative work that led to the investigation.”

Cannady faces criminal charges in Rankin County in connection with Jones’ disappearance, as well as other possible charges in Arkansas.

Jones is at home with his family and is undergoing mental and physical examinations.

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