Altamonte Springs PD asking for help locating missing 16-year-old autistic teen

Yahoo! News - May 17th, 2025
Open on Yahoo! News

The Altamonte Springs Police Department is urgently seeking public assistance to find 16-year-old Jayvon Fleming, who is missing and has autism. Jayvon was last seen on May 16, 2025, around 11:00 p.m. in the Cranes Roost Villas neighborhood. Described as a Black male, 5 feet tall, weighing 130 pounds, Jayvon was wearing a blue and purple Yoshi shirt, white pants, and gray shoes when he disappeared. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Altamonte Springs Police Department or call 911. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

The disappearance of Jayvon Fleming has raised concerns in Altamonte Springs, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals with autism in such situations. The police are actively working with the community to gather any leads that could aid in locating Jayvon safely. This incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and support in missing persons cases, particularly those involving vulnerable individuals. The immediate focus remains on ensuring Jayvon's safe return, as efforts continue to mobilize resources and public awareness through various channels, including local news and social media.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story about the missing person case of Jayvon Fleming is generally well-executed, with strengths in accuracy, clarity, and timeliness. It effectively communicates the urgency of the situation and provides essential details needed for public assistance. The clear language and logical structure enhance readability, making it accessible to a broad audience.

However, the story could improve in areas such as source quality and transparency by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and providing more context about the information-gathering process. Including additional viewpoints, such as those from family members or community leaders, would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

While the article's primary focus is on mobilizing public action, it could also explore related societal issues to encourage broader discussion and engagement. Overall, the story succeeds in its primary goal of raising awareness and prompting public involvement, but there is room for enhancement in providing a more nuanced and transparent account of the events.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, presenting verifiable details such as the name, age, and physical description of the missing person, Jayvon Fleming. It correctly identifies him as a 16-year-old with autism, which adds to the urgency of the search. The location where he was last seen, Cranes Roost Villas, is specified, along with a precise time and date, May 16, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. These specifics enhance the factual accuracy by providing clear points for verification.

However, there are areas that require further verification. The physical description, while detailed, needs confirmation from reliable sources, such as family members or recent photographs. The clothing description is another point that should be verified through witness statements or family confirmation. Additionally, the contact information provided for tips should be checked for accuracy and functionality.

Overall, the story's factual claims are well-supported, but the need for confirmation of certain details prevents it from achieving a perfect score. The urgency conveyed by the police’s request for public assistance is appropriate and aligns with the facts presented.

7
Balance

The story maintains a focus on the missing person case, which is appropriate given the nature of the report. It does not appear to favor any particular viewpoint, as it primarily aims to inform the public and solicit assistance in locating Jayvon Fleming. The article's balance is reflected in its straightforward presentation of facts without unnecessary speculation or bias.

However, the story could benefit from including perspectives from Jayvon’s family or those involved in the search efforts to provide a more rounded view. This would add depth and context, helping readers understand the emotional and logistical challenges involved in such cases. Including statements from family members or community leaders could enhance the narrative by highlighting the personal impact of the situation.

While the article effectively prioritizes the urgency of the search, it could improve balance by incorporating these additional perspectives, thereby offering a fuller picture of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is written in clear and straightforward language, making it easy for readers to understand the key details of the missing person case. The structure is logical, with essential information presented in a coherent manner. The use of specific details, such as the time, date, and location where Jayvon was last seen, aids in comprehension and allows readers to grasp the urgency of the situation.

The tone is neutral and appropriate for the subject matter, focusing on the facts without sensationalizing the situation. This helps maintain the reader's focus on the critical task of locating the missing individual.

While the article is generally clear, it could improve by providing additional context or background information about the situation, such as the circumstances leading up to Jayvon's disappearance or any ongoing search efforts. This would offer readers a more comprehensive understanding of the case.

6
Source quality

The story relies on information from the Altamonte Springs Police Department, which is a credible and authoritative source for this type of report. The use of official contact numbers for tips further supports the story's reliability. However, the article does not cite any additional sources or provide direct quotes from law enforcement officials, family members, or witnesses.

The lack of diverse sources limits the depth of the report. Including statements from police officers involved in the case or quotes from family members could enhance the credibility and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Additionally, verification from independent sources or corroborating evidence, such as surveillance footage, would strengthen the report's authority.

While the primary source is credible, the story would benefit from a broader range of sources to bolster its reliability and provide a more nuanced view of the events.

5
Transparency

The article provides clear and concise information about the missing person case, including specific details about Jayvon Fleming's last known whereabouts and physical description. However, it lacks transparency regarding the sources of this information and the methods used to gather it.

There is no mention of how the information was obtained or whether any efforts were made to verify the details provided. This omission leaves readers without a clear understanding of the basis for the claims made in the report. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may have influenced the reporting.

Improving transparency by explaining the information-gathering process and acknowledging any limitations or uncertainties would enhance the story's credibility and help readers evaluate the reliability of the claims presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/altamonte-police-search-missing-teen-can-you-help-find-him
  2. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/05/16/man-missing-for-weeks-may-be-in-daytona-beach-port-orange-police-say/
  3. https://www.wftv.com/rss-snd/
  4. https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/oral-argument/listen-to-oral-arguments
  5. https://www.wftv.com/news/autistic-girl-missing-altamonte-springs/5b07db11-aea4-4aa5-a3f5-4c23e8cccc9a/