CAMP PENDLETON — A 23-year-old U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton who was reported missing over two weeks ago has been located on the base and taken into custody, military officials confirmed.
Lance Cpl. Bailey Cameron had not been in touch with his family since Aug. 23, when he was last seen leaving a Carlsbad bar. A fellow Marine also reported sightings of Cameron on the base on Aug. 31, when he appeared to be in distress.
On Wednesday, a Camp Pendleton representative confirmed that law enforcement had apprehended Cameron that morning.
“He was located and detained by the Provost Marshal’s Office aboard Camp Pendleton. His parents were notified of his situation,” said Capt. James C. Sartain, Operations Officer at Camp Pendleton. “The Marine Corps is committed to ensuring the welfare of all its service members while upholding the high standards of personal conduct and accountability. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, further details regarding potential administrative or legal actions cannot be disclosed at this time.”
Camp Pendleton also requested that everyone respect Cameron and his family’s privacy and that the situation be handled according to military procedures and law. They did not answer questions about his condition when he was discovered.
Last week, law enforcement stated that investigators had observed Cameron on base but that he “avoided them.” As of Sept. 4, the U.S. Marine Corps said they no longer considered him a missing person.
Over the course of Cameron’s absence, his parents worked closely with The RAD Movement, a nonprofit supporting families of missing persons. The nonprofit regularly shared information about Cameron’s disappearance on social media, including interviews with his parents.
Speaking in a Facebook live video on Sept. 2, Cameron’s parents said Cameron was set to finish his five-year Marine Corps service this month and had been struggling with what life would look like afterward.
Last week, group founder Sharie Finn heavily criticized law enforcement and military officials for claiming that Cameron was no longer missing, noting that he still had not been found and his family remained concerned for his safety.
In a Wednesday statement, The RAD Movement confirmed Cameron had been located and thanked those who had assisted in the search.
“While we cannot share specific details, for obvious reasons, we are pleased to inform the public that his parents have received assurance that Bailey will receive the appropriate help he needs.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to every individual who dedicated countless hours to searching for Bailey for the past 17 days. His family is eternally grateful for the support and efforts of the community during this challenging time,” the statement said.
The nonprofit also said they will continue following the situation to ensure Cameron receives the help he needs.
