Oklahoma’s Heartfelt Relief: Missing 12-Year-Old RJ Davis Found Safe After Week-Long Search Amidst Parental Abuse Charges

A collective sigh of relief swept across Oklahoma this week as news broke that 12-year-old RJ Davis, missing for over a week, had been found safe. His discovery on Sunday, January 11, 2026, by a dedicated volunteer group brought a hopeful conclusion to a harrowing search that captivated the nation. Yet, the joy of his safe return is tempered by the grim reality of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance: his biological mother and stepfather remain in custody, facing severe child abuse and sexual abuse charges.

The story of RJ Davis is one of both community triumph and profound tragedy. For days, hundreds of law enforcement officers and volunteers scoured the vast landscapes of Oklahoma, driven by a singular purpose: to bring the young boy home. Their persistence, combined with the efforts of groups like the United Cajun Navy, ultimately led to the outcome everyone had prayed for.

A Community United: The Search and Miraculous Discovery

RJ Davis was last seen on January 2, 2026, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. His disappearance triggered an Endangered Missing Advisory from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ignited a massive, multi-agency search effort. The Chickasha Police Department, Grady and Caddo County Sheriff’s Offices, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the District 6 Task Force all joined forces, illustrating the serious nature of the case and the widespread concern for RJ’s safety.

But it wasn’t just official channels that mobilized. The heart of the search beat strongly within the community itself, fueled by countless volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to finding the missing boy. Among these, the United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search-and-rescue organization, played a pivotal role. According to News 9, Josh Gill, the incident commander for the United Cajun Navy, recounted how a team of ten members traveled from Texas to Chickasha on Saturday to assist. Their tireless efforts paid off spectacularly. After just three hours of searching on Sunday afternoon, two members of the team located RJ hiding approximately a mile from the Quality Inn in Chickasha.

When found near Cement in Caddo County, about 19 miles from where he was last seen, RJ was understandably scared. His first words to his rescuers, according to Us Weekly, were a heartbreaking, ‘I’m sorry.’ But once reassured of his safety, the frightened boy quickly relaxed, even offering his rescuers a big hug. This small gesture spoke volumes about the relief he felt and the human connection forged in that moment of discovery. Medical checks confirmed he was in good physical health, a testament perhaps to some outdoor survival knowledge he possessed, which reportedly helped him find food and water during his ordeal.

The Shadow of Abuse: Parental Arrests and RJ’s Future

The relief over RJ’s safe return is inextricably linked to the disturbing details that emerged during the search. Days before RJ was found, on January 7, his biological mother, Kimberly Cole, and stepfather, George Cole, were arrested. Both face multiple child abuse, child sexual abuse, and conspiracy charges. Investigators, including OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee, described RJ’s home in Cement as ‘very clearly not a safe environment for this child.’

The gravity of these charges underscored the urgency of finding RJ and ensuring he would not return to that dangerous environment. Chickasha Chief of Police Goebel Music emphatically stated, ‘This child will not be going back to that home.’ Authorities have confirmed that RJ will not return to his parents’ custody. Instead, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are actively working to place him in a safe and supportive home. The district attorney’s office is proceeding with formal charges against Kimberly and George Cole, who remain in custody at the Caddo County Jail.

Unanswered Questions and Lessons Learned

While the immediate crisis of RJ’s disappearance has passed, elements of the investigation remain ongoing. Authorities are still piecing together how RJ traveled from Chickasha to his eventual discovery location in Caddo County. Details surrounding where he was found indoors are also part of the continuing inquiry, as is the question of whether he had contact with anyone during his disappearance. These unanswered questions highlight the complexities that often accompany cases of missing children, especially when abuse is a factor.

The intensive search also provided valuable learning opportunities for law enforcement and volunteer organizations. OSBI acknowledged the need for improving coordination between official investigators and volunteer groups in future cases, a recognition that can only strengthen community-led search efforts moving forward. The collaboration between diverse groups, from seasoned law enforcement professionals to passionate community volunteers, proved instrumental in this success story.

The emotional impact of RJ’s safe return resonated deeply throughout Oklahoma and beyond. Officials, including Police Chief Goebel Music and OSBI’s Hunter McKee, expressed profound gratitude and relief, calling the outcome ‘the one everyone hoped for.’ They praised the community for uniting across all backgrounds, transcending divisions to focus on a shared humanitarian goal. The discovery was widely hailed as a ‘miracle’ and a ‘rewarding’ success for all involved, a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together.

The story of RJ Davis serves as a poignant reminder of the dual realities that often coexist in such cases: the incredible strength and compassion of a community rallying to protect its most vulnerable, set against the disturbing backdrop of domestic harm. While relief washes over Oklahoma for RJ’s safe return, the ongoing legal proceedings against his parents underscore the critical need for vigilance and support systems for children at risk, ensuring that the ‘miracle’ of a child found safe isn’t just a fleeting moment, but a lasting change towards a secure future.