Memphis Mom Searching For Son

On a cold Christmas night, an urgent plea from a frantic mother for the safe return of her son has flooded the internet.

The teen has been missing for days and according to his mother, Cassidy Payton has mental issues. Lisa Folis says her son does not have medication and she fears he could be in danger.

He was last seen leaving his aunt's midtown house in the 19-hundred block of Court Avenue two days ago. Folis says her son can't take care of himself and hopes someone knows where he is. She says you won't miss him, the 19-year-old could be carrying his teddy bear. Folis says emotionally, he's like a child.

"He's 19, but he's a frightened child. He's a frightened child right now," says Folis. "He is 19 years old, he is an adult, but he's bi-polar and he's unmedicated. He's terrified."

She says the 6'1" 200 pound teen refuses to take medication. In July, he came to Memphis and was living with his aunt and her boyfriend. Wednesday night after an argument, he stormed off.

"He's a good kid, but he just has issues. He doesn't like authority," says his aunt's boyfriend, Mike Gallagher. When asked if he was concerned that Payton was missing, he replied, "He's not my kid, he's not even related to me, I took him in as a favor."

That leaves Folis worried that even her sister and her boyfriend won't be much help. Payton has no phone, no ID, and no money -- just his teddy bear. Co-workers at the Chick-Fil-A in midtown haven't seen him in weeks. His mom called police but because he's legally an adult there's not much they can do. So she hit Facebook, Craigslist and checked out his MySpace page. She's even emailed him, but no return.

"He's not at The MED, he hasn't been arrested and as of yesterday, he wasn't at the morgue," says Folis who feels helpless because she lives in Florida and can't search for him until she gets to Memphis. "I will be there with flyers. I will check every Salvation Army, every church. I will sit in the police department until somebody talks to me."

Cassidy Payton was last seen wearing a maroon sweatshirt, a black fleece, and khaki pants. His right hand may be bandaged and he could be carrying a teddy bear. If you have seen him call Memphis police.