Update - Family Found In Everglades

Missing Family Of Five Rescued 

CLEWISTON, FL. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with help from partner agencies, found a family of five that had been missing in the Everglades since Thursday afternoon.

Ohioans Scott and Carie Schreck took their children, Drew, Luke and Zane, out for a ride in an airboat at 11 a.m. Thursday. When the Schrecks did not return later that afternoon, concerned family members contacted the FWC.

Once they received the call, FWC officers began searching the area for the family. On Friday the FWC ramped up search efforts with the help of several partner agencies, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miccosukee Police Department and Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The agencies used several airboats as well as aerial support to help with the search.

Early Friday afternoon, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter spotted the family in thick brush in the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, which is located in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Because of the heavy vegetation, the rescue effort was difficult and had to be conducted carefully. Ultimately, FWC officers along with Miami-Dade Fire staff were able to free the boat and escort the family safely back to shore.