JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An 78-year-old man who's been missing since Tuesday has been found alive in the woods, according to police and family members.
Germilus Nonord is currently being treated at St. Vincent's Riverside, his family explains. He went missing on Tuesday.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office confirmed that Nonord was found alive by searchers in a heavily wooded and swampy area within a half-mile of where he was last seen. JSO says he is conscious and alert.
"We are thankful for the outcome of this incident and would like to thank everyone who participated," police say.
Nonord is a husband, father, and grandfather.
First Coast News talked with the family today who says Nonord had several incidents where he wandered off in the past because of his dementia, but they said this time it felt different.
Nonord’s granddaughter says she called police the day he went missing on tuesday afternoon.
Nonord's daughter, Yoldine, says he is originally from Haiti moved to Ft. Lauderdale a while back and came to jacksonville to be closer with family about a year ago.
“So thankful without the police department and the news. There’s no way we could have found him because we’ve been on the streets searching and no answers," said Yoldine.
Yoldine says she worried because Nonord has health issues.
“First 24 hours okay but then 48 hours we didn’t know if he was okay or if he passed out somewhere. We were all getting really worried so I’m just so happy and so thankful right now. I have no words right now," said Yoldine.
Police previously reported that Nonord is diagnosed with dementia and speaks very little English.