A Silver Alert is active for 66-year-old Debra Elkins, a Canadian County woman last seen around 4:36 p.m. Saturday, who authorities say may be driving a white 2017 GMC pickup toward California. Elkins, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall, has health issues and, according to authorities, may have dementia. Anyone with information should contact local police or the sheriff's department by dialing 911.
The alert was issued Saturday evening after Elkins was last seen Saturday in Canadian County, Oklahoma. More information is available from KFOR. Her vehicle carries Oklahoma plate PDE060, a detail investigators have released publicly as they work to locate her. Authorities advise that Elkins may be heading toward California.
Why Interstate 40 Matters to the Search
Canadian County is crossed directly east-to-west by Interstate 40, according to the Canadian County, OK Official Website. The interstate runs across the county from east to west.
Oklahoma Silver Alerts cover citizens over 60, per Justia Law. Oklahoma has Silver Alert legislation and alert pages.
Tracking a Vehicle Across State Lines
Oklahoma law also requires agencies issuing a Silver Alert to immediately enter the missing person's and vehicle's details into the FBI's National Crime Information Center database, per Justia Law. The alert includes information about Elkins and her vehicle.
People may be transported to healthcare facilities by first responders.
Why Speed Matters in Dementia-Related Disappearances
Research from the Alzheimer's Association, cited by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, estimates that up to 60 percent of patients with Alzheimer's disease will wander from home or caregivers at least once. The alert includes Elkins' description, license plate, and vehicle details.
Oklahoma runs a tiered emergency alert system through its Department of Public Safety, with AMBER Alerts covering missing children, Kasey Alerts for critically missing adults ages 18 to 59, and Silver Alerts reserved for missing seniors 60 and older, per Oklahoma.gov. Anyone with information on Debra Elkins' location is asked to call 911.
