Parents Of Missing Md. Student Pleading For His Return

CHESTERTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- Missing for days. The parents of a Washington College student beg their son to come home. This, after the FBI joined the manhunt for the missing student they say may be armed and dangerous.

Rick Ritter has more on the strong words from his family.

Jacob Marberger's father says his son is a lost individual who is embarrassed with himself. He wants him to know that the mistakes he made, he can bounce back from.

Pleading for a return home, in an interview with WCAU Philadelphia, Jacob Marberger's father says he doesn't care what his son has done, he just wants him safe.

"Jacob will hear this and come. That's the only answer we want," his father, Dr. Jon Marberger, said.

Marberger went missing Sunday night, prompting the FBI and local officials to kick off an intense search for the troubled student and Washington College to shut down through next week.

"A lot of people are concerned about him as well as concerned for themselves," one student said.

Family and friends describe Marberger as a young sophomore with a promising future who fell on tough times.

He reported being bullied in early October, then got in trouble when authorities say he held a rifle while drunk at his frat house--but never threatened anyone.

Shortly after, he was kicked out of his fraternity, left his student government post and faced expulsion from college--a tumble his father calls a rarity.

"He's made so few mistakes in his life. I don't think he knows how to deal with that," he said.

Marberger left Chestertown, then returned home to Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. His parents believe he may have left with a rifle before disappearing. He was last spotted in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

Those who know him say they can only pray and hold onto hope.

Washington College campus remain closed, but there have been no direct threats.

Jacob was last seen buying ammunition at a Walmart in Hamburg. Authorities say there hasn't been any activity on his cell phone since Monday morning.

Washington College will not resume classes until November 30.