Alerts
KRS 39F.180 outlines the requirements for reporting when a person is missing, or unable to be located. All guardianship staff are required to report when an individual under guardianship is missing to local authorities.
Reporting information and even terminology will vary based on the differing ages and abilities of the individual. If you need to report a missing person, refer to KRS 39F.180 for more specific details or reach out to your supervisor for more information.
There may be instances where local authorities are hesitant to issue an alert for the missing person. All attempts should be made to call and urge the police to make a report. These attempts should be documented, along with concerns and specific factors that describe the individual’s vulnerability.
Missing Persons Alert Cumberland II Region
“Once I had an individual I was working with, that eloped from the ER prior to being transferred to the Psychiatric Unit at a local hospital. Hospital staff advised they could not force him back into the building but called Guardianship and the police to report the AWOL. The police issued a ‘Be on the Look Out’ or BOLO rather than completing a Golden Alert or Missing Person’s report.
Guardianship Services Social Worker (GSSW) continued to follow up with them daily to request an upgrade to a Golden Alert and providing contact information if he was found.
GSSW also requested a family search – where we look to see if there are any next of kin – from Janice. Janice works for DCBS and completes family searches she is amazing at finding family! GSSW contacted the police department in the city where he previously resided to advise them he was missing and he has stated several times he wanted to return ‘home.’
Approximately 5 days later, he was located by the police who contacted GSSW and transported him back to the hospital. He was assessed and released back to his Personal Care Home (PCH) because he did not meet the criteria for admission.”
Ronnie
Employee
Golden Alert Western Region
“One time I had a person I was working with who went to a Physical Therapy (PT) appointment alone and did not return.
Local authorities were contacted, and a Golden Alert was issued. It turned out that she had convinced another patient, at the physical therapy office, to give her a ride to the Cooperative Ministries. Staff at the PT office overheard the conversation and when they heard the Golden Alert on the radio the next morning, they contacted the police.
She was located at a local hotel, someone at the Cooperative Ministries took her to the hotel and paid for her stay. She was found at the hotel and was medically cleared by EMS and returned to the facility with staff.”
Dazia
Employee