Missing Alzheimer’s patient found in Hemet motel

Police today found a missing 73-year-old Alzheimer’s patient who left his care facility without medication and sent community agency workers and volunteers on a frenzied 24-hour search, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

Danny Gonzalez was believed to be in danger of falling into a diabetic coma or become delusional without his prescription medication, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Yates.

Caretakers at the facility said Gonzalez walked off the grounds at about 10 a.m. Friday, leaving the facility in the 1200 block of Sandy Nook in San Jacinto without permission.

Sheriff’s deputies in a helicopter and with a bloodhound searched for Gonzalez on Friday evening, but did not find him. Officers and volunteers canvassed the surrounding area and distributed flyers asking for the public’s help throughout the evening.

Investigators found Gonzalez at about 11:30 a.m. today in a Hemet motel, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Detective Javier Rodriguez.

“Apparently he just didn’t want to be there anymore so he checked himself into a motel,” Rodriguez said.

Gonzalez appeared to be unharmed and his medical condition was being evaluated today, Rodriguez said.

Tags: Alzheimer's patient, Danny Gonzalez, hemet, riverside county sheriff's department, San Jacinto, Sgt. Michael Yates, SWRNN

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