Recovered/Located CA - Douglas James, 62, dropped off by CHP at a gas station, Torrance, 5 Nov 2019 *dementia*

[GuyfromCanada]

The California Highway Patrol came under scrutiny Thursday after a man with dementia went missing Nov. 5, and hasn't been seen since.

The family of Douglas James has been making posters, hoping someone will recognize him and help bring him home.

South Central Los Angeles resident Donald James was driving with his brother Douglas and his dog, Teddy Bear, Nov. 5, when his car was pulled over by CHP officers, according to the family's lawyer.

Douglas is a 62-year-old man with severe dementia, the family's attorney said.

More at Man Vanishes After Brother Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Family Says CHP Left Man with Dementia at Gas Station; He's Still Missing - MyNewsLA.com

This is very concerning!

 

[GuyfromCanada]

It has been way too long... Where could Douglas be? Were the cameras at the gas station checked, I wonder?

 

[MissMalowe]

Oh no! They assured the brother they would get him & the dog home after he explained he had Alzheimer's, is cared for by family and can't make it home on his own and they LEFT him at a gas station?! But later drove the brother home? Why would they provide chauffer service for the guy with the DUI but then just drop the innocent man with dementia off at a gas station?! Ridiculous!

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Five days later, Teddy Bear was found in Wilmington by a woman and returned to Donald.

Man Vanishes After Brother Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

So, the dog was found in Wilmington, a neighborhood in LA, about 7.4 miles from Torrance. Did the dog ran off from Douglas? Perhaps Douglas tried to catch the dog and got lost, confused and upset? This is not looking good.

 

[rainynights]

Douglas took medication for his dementia that he didn't have on him at the time, the family said.

[DJ] says his father was a boxer, which may have contributed to his mental degradation. He doesn't think Douglas would be able to tell someone where he lives or any of his relatives' phone numbers.

[...]

Police describe Douglas James as a black man with light gray or white hair and brown eyes. He's about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

[LAPD Detective Oscar] Casino said he has a distinctive, long, gray goatee that completely covers his chin, "kind of like Santa Claus."

Douglas' family says he was last seen wearing black pants with a black, short-sleeved shirt and black sneakers with white bottoms.

Dementia Patient Dropped Off by CHP in Carson After His Twin’s DUI Arrest Has Been Missing for Weeks

 

[Moonracer]

This poor man. I hope he soon crosses the path of a GOOD person. LE needs to refresh or add training for dementia, because it's just getting more and more common.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Family of missing 62-year-old with dementia says CHP officers left him alone at Torrance gas station

CHP said the responding officers drove Douglas and his dog to a "safe public place," which in this case was a Carl's Jr. restaurant in Los Angeles. They added that the officers checked to see that he had a cellphone and his wallet.

The CHP released the following statement, which reads in part: "The CHP has become aware of recent statements that Douglas James suffers from dementia. It is our understanding Douglas James communicated with the officers freely and logically and exhibited no indication he was unable to care for himself. However, in light of these recent statements we are reviewing the actions of the officers involved in this incident. Additionally, the CHP is continuing to assist in any way we can to help locate Douglas James."

Meanwhile, his family is asking for the public's help in finding him.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Man With Dementia Missing For 2 Weeks, Family Says CHP To Blame

 

[crhedBngr]

Good grief!

I live in the South Bay; there are homeless people in that area.

I'll keep my eyes open.

 

[MissMalowe]

I guess CHP officers don't realize that dementia has stages and different levels of severity, which can even vary moment to moment for a person and that one can have dementia and be unable to find their way home or take care of themselves but also not outwardly seem crazy or confused.

Why didn't they just trust the guy who said he had dementia and needed help home?

 

[crhedBngr]

I guess CHP officers don't realize that dementia has stages and different levels of severity, which can even vary moment to moment for a person and that one can have dementia and be unable to find their way home or take care of themselves but also not outwardly seem crazy or confused.

Why didn't they just trust the guy who said he had dementia and needed help home?

(sigh)

I agree - I wish CHP had driven Mr. James home.

Maybe more medical training would help CHP officers. But, I suspect they are understaffed, and they leave medical analyses to the EMCs.

JMVHO.

 

[crhedBngr]

A bit more info:

https://www.lapdonline.org/south_bureau/news_view/66070

 

[crhedBngr]

Douglas' case is in NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[bykerladi]

Well, this is certainly a lawsuit in the making.

 

[Steelslady]

Douglas took medication for his dementia that he didn't have on him at the time, the family said.

[DJ] says his father was a boxer, which may have contributed to his mental degradation. He doesn't think Douglas would be able to tell someone where he lives or any of his relatives' phone numbers.

[...]

Police describe Douglas James as a black man with light gray or white hair and brown eyes. He's about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

[LAPD Detective Oscar] Casino said he has a distinctive, long, gray goatee that completely covers his chin, "kind of like Santa Claus."

Douglas' family says he was last seen wearing black pants with a black, short-sleeved shirt and black sneakers with white bottoms.

Dementia Patient Dropped Off by CHP in Carson After His Twin’s DUI Arrest Has Been Missing for Weeks

Are we even sure that his twin for absolute sure told the CHP officers that they had to brig his brother home and that he had dementia issues?

The man was pulled over for a DUI!!!!!! i do understand people's outrage, but perhaps there's more to this story than what meets the eye?

No one appears upset that the brother was driving under the influence, endangering not only his brother, but others on the road?

He could be covering his own butt in front of his family and friends, blaming the officers.

 

[swanniee11]

Are we even sure that his twin for absolute sure told the CHP officers that they had to brig his brother home and that he had dementia issues?

The man was pulled over for a DUI!!!!!! i do understand people's outrage, but perhaps there's more to this story than what meets the eye?

No one appears upset that the brother was driving under the influence, endangering not only his brother, but others on the road?

He could be covering his own butt in front of his family and friends, blaming the officers.

IIRC, he was tested at a .08%. In PA that is the limit, meaning .07 is not a DUI but .08 is. That doesn't sound like he was extremely intoxicated but had enough for sure. Yes, there is outrage about drinking and driving and had he gotten into an accident or something then people would be shouting from the rooftop, this is about a man who has health issues and they knew about it and still didn't get him home. They could have taken the brother to the police station ( seeing as he got a written ticket and was taken home) with Doug. I don't understand this drop off situation at all. IMO

 

[Steelslady]

IIRC, he was tested at a .08%. In PA that is the limit, meaning .07 is not a DUI but .08 is. That doesn't sound like he was extremely intoxicated but had enough for sure. Yes, there is outrage about drinking and driving and had he gotten into an accident or something then people would be shouting from the rooftop, this is about a man who has health issues and they knew about it and still didn't get him home. They could have taken the brother to the police station ( seeing as he got a written ticket and was taken home) with Doug. I don't understand this drop off situation at all. IMO

It sounds like his faculties were all there when they dropped him off. I am not defending them by any means, but they're cops, not medical professionals. He may have insisted that he was fine and appeared of clear and sound mind. That can happen with people that have dementia. I feel bad that he is lost and I hope that they find him soon, safe and sound, along with his dog.

I wonder if any cameras have caught him walking anywhere after he left Carl Jrs? Anyone remember seeing him there with the dog? Have they pinged his phone yet?

 

[swanniee11]

@Steelslady, I agree with what you're saying however his brother told LE that Doug has those health issues. LE should have taken that more serious. I see laziness at it's finest with this. IMO

 

[Lynetta]

Douglas' case is in NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

I'm getting 'page not found' from that link now. I also tried searching his name on namus and nothing comes up.

 

[Steelslady]

I'm getting 'page not found' from that link now. I also tried searching his name on namus and nothing comes up.

Doesn't that usually mean that the person has been found? I hope so, and hopefully alive and well!