Vulnerable Adults Who Go Missing

By Cynthia L. Caron

The passing of Sarah Rogers, 29, a young mother from New Hampshire who went missing and located deceased is not the first in which a loved one reported missing is remarked, by law enforcement, as "an adult has the right to go missing" to the family. Police had only entered Sarah's name into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) two days after Sarah vanished. Due to her emotional state she should have been entered immediately.  Had she been entered, the Maine State Troopers who happened upon her vehicle would have done a more thorough search upon knowing a vulnerable and endangered adult was reported missing.  Barrington, N.H., police said a statewide "BOLO" [Be on the Look Out] alert was issued the morning Sarah Rogers went missing. That warning would not have been seen by Maine police, however.

This happens far too often in all areas of the country. Yes, there are adults who decide to leave home or family members who may panic and report a loved one missing because they failed to call home or check in while living away or on vacation.  However, law enforcement need to really listen to family when they exclaim that their loved one "would not just go away and not make contact."  More often than not the family is correct.

According to a recent article by Susan Donaldson James, of ABC News, she reported a conversation with the President of The National Center for Missing Persons, now known as "Let's Bring Them Home", in which LaDonna  Meridith states "There isn't much attention [or care] put on missing adults cases in America because quite frankly, it isn't illegal for an adult to go missing,"  She also stated "We have the right to come and go as we please," she said. "Unfortunately, this mentality has crippled any system that is in place to help find missing adults." 

Many states with Silver Alerts have no provisions for those who have mental disorders who may be in a state of panic, such as Sarah Rogers.  It is the opinion of many that a revision needs to transpire and that the fate of Sarah be an example as to how important it is to have those with mental illness to be included in the alerts. There are many across the USA  missing who have similar conditions. Some of those which are listed at LostNMissing, Inc are:

Christina Whittaker Young, 21, who is bipolar and has anxiety and panic attacks  was last seen Nov. 13, 2009, leaving a local bar late at night after erratic behavior led to an argument with the bartender in Missouri.

Jamie Fraley, 22, who suffers from bipolar and anxiety and went missing on April 08, 2008, from Gastonia, NC after making numerous trips to the ER that day.

Thomas Joel Zinza, 44, a business man from Hawaii who disappeared from his hotel room in PA on February 16, 2008.  Mr. Zinza suffers from schizophrenia.

Adam Christopher Kellner, 34, who disappeared from his California home on November 08, 2007. Adam also suffers from schizophrenia and hears voices.

Emillie Hoyt, 23, missing since January 2006 in Florida. Suffers from bipolar disorder.

Mitrice Richardson, 24, missing since September 17, 2009 in California. Suffers from mental health issues.

If you recognize or see any of these missing loved ones, please go to the LostNMissing website at www.lostnmissing.com to locate the missing person’s banner with information so that you may contact the appropriate authorities.