A 19-year-old man with autism has not been seen since Monday evening in Etna, and the Licking County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to come forward. Joshua Yates was last seen after 6 p.m. in the area of Tolgate Road, and investigators say they are concerned for his safety.
According to myfox28columbus.com, the sheriff's office is asking for help finding Yates after he hasn't been seen since Monday. Yates has autism, and “law enforcement is concerned for his safety,” according to a statement cited in the report.
What Yates Looks Like and What He Was Wearing
Deputies describe Yates as 5-foot-6 and about 158 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and black pants, per the same report. Anyone who spots him is urged to call 911, and tips can also go directly to the Licking County Sheriff's Office at (740) 670-5500.
Etna's Tolgate Road Has Seen Searches Before
Tolgate Road in Etna Township has been the site of other searches for missing people in Licking County. Back in August 2019, the sheriff's office sought public help finding three children reported missing from the same road, a case in which authorities said the children were considered runaways and foul play was not expected, as reported by The Newark Advocate.
Not every search in the county has ended without resolution. In one earlier case, a missing Licking County boy with special needs who was last seen late Wednesday morning was found safely near his home in Glenford that same afternoon, as noted by ABC6 On Your Side. No comparable update has been reported in Yates's case as of now.
For the moment, deputies are relying on the public to help track down Yates's whereabouts. Anyone with information on his location is asked to call 911 immediately or reach out to investigators directly.
