THE desperate search for a missing dad has ramped up as phone records revealed his final movements before he disappeared ahead of his 53rd birthday.
Chad Mullen’s family hasn’t heard from him in over two weeks, which his daughter says is unusual behavior for the family man.
Mullen’s daughter, Holli Mullen, last heard from him on September 9.
His family reported him missing on September 15 after a week of no contact from Mullen, who lives in Palatka, Florida, which is about an hour’s drive from Jacksonville.
Mullen runs a horse rental company called Stormy’s Stables located in San Mateo, which is just a few miles away from Palatka.
Investigators with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office told local CBS affiliate WJAX-TV that Mullen’s phone last pinged on September 10 near Stormy’s Stables.
Cops issued a search warrant on the property on September 20.
“Detectives searched the property,” PCSO said in a statement to WJAX-TV.
“Neither Mullen nor his cell phone were found at that location.”
BUSINESS PARTNER’S ARREST
Mullen runs the stables with his business partner, Caylen Deller, cops confirmed to WJAX-TV.
Deller, 30, was arrested on Monday on larceny charges dating back to February.
Cops told WJAX-TV that Deller is charged with grand theft of a commercial farm animal.
They added that the business partner avoided deputies’ attempts to contact her about Mullen’s disappearance.
Police told the outlet that Deller’s arrest is unrelated to the investigation.
She has not been identified as a suspect in the disappearance.
Deller, who has been arrested at least six other times since 2015, was released from jail on Wednesday.
Timeline of Chad Mullen’s disappearance
The desperate search for Florida dad Chad Mullen nears its third week.
September 9 – Holli Mullen last speaks to her dad, Chad Mullen
September 10 – Phone records later show that Mullen’s phone pinged near Stormy’s Stables in San Mateo, Florida
September 15 – Mullen’s family reports him missing
September 20 – Police issue a search warrant on Stormy’s Stables and are unable to locate Mullen or his cell phone
September 22 – Mullen’s 53rd birthday passes and his family still doesn’t hear from him
September 23 – Caylen Deller, Mullen’s business partner, is arrested for previous, unrelated charges
September 25 – Deller is released from jail
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Deller for comment.
Mullen’s family is offering a $6,000 reward to anyone with information that brings him home.
He wouldn’t do that and not call me.”
Holli Mullen
“I pray to God that he is OK, that nothing sinister did happen,” Holli said.
“I pray that he is safe.”
Holli said that it was unusual for her dad to not contact her – especially since he didn’t reach out on his birthday.
“His birthday was this Sunday the 22nd and we were supposed to go out for his brother’s wedding in El Paso,” Holli told WJAX-TV.
“He wouldn’t disappear, at least not right now. He wouldn’t do that and not call me.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to PCSO for comment.