Please mark as missing so that other cachers are not dissappointed. See info below.
2.5. Mark Missing - Trackable on page but not there physically.
Sometimes, a Trackable has been physically removed from a cache, but the finder does not log it online. The Travel Bug or Geocoin icon on remains the cache page, and geocachers can be frustrated when they arrive at the cache to find it missing.
Don't despair if a Trackable goes missing. In many cases it has been moved to another cache but the last person didn't know how to log it. The next geocacher who finds it will log the find.
If you are the owner of the Trackable, or the owner of the cache where the Trackable is listed, you can mark the item as missing. This will remove it from the cache inventory, and place the Trackable in an "unknown location." This will not effect the mileage of the Trackable. Later, if the Trackable is found, it can be grabbed and placed into the correct location. Mileage will be calculated from its previous location.
To do this, go to the Trackable's page, and choose from among the "Trackable Item Options." If you are the Trackable owner, it will say "Recalculate distance." Click on this menu and select "Mark bug missing". If you are the cache owner, the menu will already be on the "Mark bug missing" option. Click "Go" and when the page refreshes, at the top it will ask "Are you sure you want to mark this Travel Bug missing?" Click "Yes" to complete the action.
When you mark a Trackable missing, a log to the Trackable's page will be auto-generated under your name, explaining the Mark Missing log.
If you are not the Trackable owner or cache owner and notice that a Trackable is not in a cache, you can use the Trackable's reference number to log a note to the Trackable listing telling the owner that the Trackable is not there. Or you can email the cache owner or the Trackable owner and point them to this Knowledge Book page. As a courtesy, it is nice to email the Trackable owner first. If neither player is responsive, notify contact@geocaching.com and we can usually remove it from the cache.