Full Notification

CRITICAL MISSING ELDER FROM SYLMAR CARE FACILITY

Sylmar.  Police are asking the public's help in locating Richardo Celis Cortez, 84, who walked away from the Abbey Road Villa senior care home in Sylmar.

Richardo was last seen on camera in the facility on April 15, around 6:15 PM, walking through the front gates, unescorted.  It appeared he went north bound on Hubbard Street.

Richardo suffers from Alzheimer's disease and may appear disoriented or confused.  He does know his first and last name, but may recall little else.

Richardo was last seen wearing a blue, hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans.  He has a small build, fair complexion and gray hair.  His mental condition is considered poor.

Police searched through the night looking for Richardo, using helicopters and patrol cars.  They have also contacted local hospitals in the event Richardo is admitted for care.

This case is a good reminder to all who have elders in their care to sew personal information into clothing or give the elder a medic alert bracelet that authorities can use to identify and relocate them.

Anyone with information on Richardo'a whereabouts is asked to call LAPD's Mission Area watch commander or 9-1-1.  The watch commander's number is (818) 838-9800.

The phone number to the Abbey Road Villa senior care facility is (818) 419-9914.

This message will be updated with a photograph as soon as it's available.

Prepared by

Lt. Paul Vernon

Mission Detective Division