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Mackensie Alexander's father found safe following disappearance

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and last updated

UPDATE as of 7:00 PM

Jean Odney Alexandre has been found, the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office says.

He is the father of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, Mackensie Alexander.

Deputies say Alexandre walked up to a ranger station in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park early Thursday morning.

The sheriff's office says he's in good health and will be turned over to family members.

On Wednesday, deputies from multiple agencies searched through the northwest area of Okeechobee County.

“It’s very swampy, very muddy, very hard to navigate,” said Alan Blandford, a neighbor assisting in the search.

According to deputies, Alexandre went missing during a palmetto berry picking trip in Okeechobee County.

According to Alexandre's missing persons report, he went on the trip with Mauricet Etienne and several other people early Monday morning.

After searching for several hours, the report says the group ended up heading back to Immokalee without Alexandre.

Deputies say that's when Etienne, the driver, called Alexandre's wife to notify her, later returning to Okeechobee with Alexandre's wife to continue the search.

According to the 911 call made to report Alexandre was missing, “his wife went looking for him but still couldn’t find him.”

As deputies prepared for another search Thursday, at about 7:15, Alexandre walked up to the ranger station.

Kc Leitner, a member of the search rescue team, says Alexandre was smiling, just happy to be found.

"His feet were eaten up pretty bad, bleeding. I know there was a bunch of thunderstorms the past couple of days out there so he was doing a lot better than I thought he was going to be," said Leitner.

Leitner says he didn't expect Alexandre to be walking after being lost in the swampy area of northwest Okeechobee County for three days and three nights.

"He went 5-miles from where his last known location was with no shirt, no shoes," said Leitner.

UPDATE as of 8:16 PM

Cincinnati Bengals player Mackensie Alexander has been released from Collier County jail after allegedly punching a man during an altercation in the disappearance of his father.

UPDATE as of 3:35 PM

MacKensie Alexander is seen during first appearance in Collier County on Wednesday.

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Mackensie Alexander appears before Judge Rob Crown, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at the Collier County Courthouse in East Naples.
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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at the Collier County Courthouse in East Naples.

UPDATE as of 1:21 PM

The Collier County Sheriff's Office says air and ground searches are still being conducted in the search for Jean Odney Alexandre.

Investigators are searching an area known as "The Prairie" in northwest Okeechobee County, and witnesses are being interviewed.

Anyone with information is asked to call CCSO at 239-252-9300.

UPDATE as of 12:13 PM

According to a police report obtained by FOX 4, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mackensie Alexander repeatedly punched a victim during a physical altercation.

The victim tells Collier County Sheriff's deputies Alexander and a person by the name of Evins Clement approached them at their Immokalee home on Tuesday, August 25th.

The report says the two wanted to "discuss an incident that transpired the day prior".

Law enforcement was on scene, but left after the victim allowed both suspects into their home.

Alexander and Clement allegedly began to ask the victim about the "previous incident", and tried to convince the suspect to leave with them in their vehicle.

According to the report, the victim refused to leave with Clement and Alexander.

The report says Alexander then threatened the victim and told him he had a gun in his vehicle.

That's when Clement is accused of grabbing the victim and holding him down.

Alexander is then accused of punching the victim in the face several times.

The report says the victim did suffer injuries to his lip and forehead.

Both suspects allegedly fled the scene once they heard the sound of sirens approaching.

The vehicle they were in was located and both were transported to the Immokalee Sub Station for questioning.

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FOX 4 has learned that Cincinnati Bengals player Mackensie Alexander has been arrested in Collier County.

According to the Collier County Sherriff's Office website, he has been charged with battery.

On Tuesday, The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office announcedthat a search is underway for Jean Odney Alexandre.

According to the NFL Network, which first reported the news, Alexandre is the father of the football player.

Deputies say he was last seen picking palmetto berries on a prairie in northwest Okeechobee County with another man on Monday, August 24.

The sheriff's office says the other man left Okeechobee, leaving Mr. Alexandre behind.

The exact location of where he was left is unknown.

While the Collier County Sheriff's Office is now leading the investigation in Okeechobee, multiple agencies have been involved.

This includes K-9 teams, the Florida Wildlife Commission, helicopters from St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and the use of four wheelers on the ground.

According to ESPN, Alexander left the team training camp after his father was reported missing.

The sheriff's office says Alexandre was reportedly last seen wearing a white shirt, black jeans with a stripe on the sides and blue Nike tennis shoes with a white line on the sole.

The Bengals released the following statement:

“We are aware of the situation. We have no further comment at this time.”

This is a developing story.