INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An 86-year-old man with dementia who went missing earlier this week after going for a walk on a trail, was found safe late Wednesday, sheriff’s officials said. Deputies found Vero Lake Estates resident Donald Keaton deep in the woods and mud, said Sgt. Greg Farless with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
“The sheriff’s office’s night shift used a drone to find him about 10 p.m. (Wednesday),” Farless said. Keaton was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital for medical treatment, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Further details on the rescue were not immediately available. Sheriff Eric Flowers was expected to provide more information on the rescue during a news conference at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Sheriff’s officials posted an updated alert on social media overnight stating that Keaton was located safely. Keaton, who also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, went missing shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday.
Deputies said Keaton left the Encore Sunshine Travel campground, walked eastbound across 94th Street, crossed County Road 512 and walked the trail leading over Interstate 95. Several law enforcement agencies searched for Keaton since Sunday afternoon.
Keaton’s disappearance prompted a multi-agency response, including the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Deputies issued a social media alert on Monday notifying the public of Keaton’s disappearance. On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office posted a second alert with an updated clothing description for Keaton.
Deputies on Wednesday released surveillance footage that showed Keaton walking from the Encore Sunshine Travel RV park and along 94th Street. Sheriff’s officials used helicopters, all-terrain vehicles and ground units to search for Keaton near the bridge and the walking trail.
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- Donald Keaton found safe FLYER CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
