A 71-year-old Cincinnati man with dementia who needs medication has not been seen since he walked out of his Central Avenue home around 9 p.m. Wednesday, and as of 12:36 a.m. Thursday he still had not returned. Authorities have asked the public for help finding Irving William Frye.
Four-County Alert Issued Overnight
According to WKRC, the Cincinnati Emergency Communication Center issued a missing adult alert for Frye that covers Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties. Authorities requested public help locating him, describing him as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a tan jacket, red-and-black pajamas and gray shoes, the outlet reports.
Anyone who sees Frye is asked to call 911 or contact the Cincinnati Emergency Communication Center at 513-263-8121, per the station's report. Frye needs medication.
What Triggers an Endangered Missing Adult Alert
Ohio's Endangered Missing Adult Alert program exists to enlist public help when a missing adult's circumstances suggest a risk of serious bodily harm or death if they are not found quickly, according to the Ohio Amber Plan. To activate such an alert, law enforcement must confirm the missing person is at least 65 years old or is an adult with a mental impairment, and must believe the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger. Officials must also have enough descriptive information about the person and the circumstances of the disappearance to make a public appeal useful.
Cases involving older adults with dementia have surfaced elsewhere in Ohio in recent weeks. A 72-year-old Cleveland man with dementia was reported missing since a Sunday morning, which also prompted an Endangered Missing Adult Alert from state authorities, as previously reported by Hoodline. Hoodline also reported on an 80-year-old Cincinnati man with dementia who went missing after leaving a care center.
As of the latest update from WKRC, Frye had not been located. Residents in the four-county alert area are being urged to stay alert for someone matching his description and to call authorities immediately with any sightings.
