INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Several agencies continued to search for an 86-year-old Vero Lake Estates man last seen leaving the Encore Sunshine Travel campground over the weekend. The man – who suffers from dementia and Parkinson’s disease – was considered endangered, said sheriff’s Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re really looking for the public’s help here. We’ve pulled all the video in the area. We see him walking away (in the video). We’ve got four bloodhound teams. We’ve got drones, helicopters and ATVs trying to locate him,” Sheriff Eric Flowers said during a Monday news conference at the agency. “As of yet, we have not had any success. We’re hoping somebody saw something. We hope somebody will come forward with information.”
Deputies said Donald Keaton was last seen about 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, walking away from the Encore Sunshine Travel RV park in the 9400 block of 108th Avenue, east of Interstate 95 and south of County Road 512. The park is less than half-a-mile from Keaton’s residence.
Keaton’s disappearance prompted the response of 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.
The direction in which Keaton traveled was not immediately clear.
Sheriff’s officials issued an alert Monday on social media notifying the public of Keaton’s disappearance. Deputies said Keaton was last seen wearing a gray and white T-shirt with gray and white shorts.
Flowers said missing persons cases involving individuals with dementia are some of the most difficult to solve. The sheriff said deputies were searching wooded areas nearby for Keaton.
“It’s a pretty remote area…not a walkable area,” Flowers said. “I’m very concerned for him and for his family. We’re hoping for a positive outcome in this. Our hearts are out with the family. Our team has been out all night (last night) and all day today. This case is of the utmost importance.”
Keaton was described as a white man with glasses, a bald head and blue eyes. Keaton is 5-feet 9-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, sheriff’s officials said.
Anyone with information on Keaton’s whereabouts should dial 911.
“He’s been out there for over 24 hours and in his 80s,” Flowers said. “We want to get him to emergency medical services as soon as possible.”
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- CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
