cujenn81
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- Dec 26, 2013
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I imagine his family is worried that posters might scare him away. If he’s in the midst of a mental breakdown and/or in a near constant state of paranoia, they are probably right to worry. Even if the family locates Dane, there’s really not much they can do to help him if he doesn’t want to be helped. Unless he poses an immediate risk of harm to himself or others, they can’t force him to seek medical treatment. This precarious situation is such a sad tightrope walk for his family.I doubt the campground sighting was some kid screwing around (although...I understand why you said that). I say it because so many people around Lake Isabella live there permanently, rotating through campgrounds, without internet.
At any rate, it's the only lead that I find meaningful. At the same time, Lake Isabella is very hot, very rough, and has lots of people who could be described as homeless. There's not a lot of hiking right there, there's a narrow river gorge (low flow right now) and a warm lake with boaters who party. Let's just say that if I wanted to hang out and score certain drugs, that's a place I might consider. OTOH, lots of people just CROWD there when it's hot like it has been recently.
I worry that someone else has his ID, that insufficient numbers of people have gone to Lake Isabella to check this lead out, etc (it truly is a packed area of people who all look a lot the same - hot, in sandals and shorts, approximately Dane's age, etc).
Someone needs to put Missing Signs up there. But it is not in a city, it's a rather remote area...
In the event they discover his location, their best viable option may just be to monitor his whereabouts (keep an eye on him as much as possible) without his knowledge and just try to weather and wait out this mental episode. If he has a moment of clarity, swoop in and hopefully get him the help he needs. If his mental state only worsens, swoop in as soon as he exhibits behavior that suggests he’s a danger to himself/others and petition the court for an emergency medical hold. I know this is easier said than done, but I’m not sure what more they can do at this point.
It’s a really, really tough situation. My heart breaks for Dane’s mom.