JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A missing 63-year-old man who was the subject of a search over the weekend has now been found safe, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
"We are pleased to announce that Bernard Bethel has been located safely in a neighboring jurisdiction," JSO said in an update Sunday. "Thank you to all who assisted in disseminating the information to our community during this lengthy search."
Initial reports were that Bethel was reported missing Thursday around 12:30 p.m. after he was last seen walking away from the 1400 block of Lane Avenue North around 1 p.m. Thursday.
JSO said new information reveals that Bernard Bethel was taken to a hospital in St. John’s County for evaluation as a result of his incoherent behavior.
Following a short stay in the medical facility, Bethel reportedly called an unknown individual who is believed to have picked him up Saturday after he was released.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW:
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public's help in searching for a missing endangered 63-year-old man.
Officers responded to the 1400 block of Lane Avenue North on Friday just after 12:30 p.m. The complainant advised that Bernard Bethel was last seen walking away from the area approximately 24 hours prior at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Bethel reportedly suffers from memory loss following a previous stroke and walks with a limp. Efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful at this time and police are attempting to locate him to verify his safety.
Bethel is 5’6”, 145 lbs. with Gray low-cut hair and Brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light blue t-shirt over a long sleeve dark t-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
Anyone having seen Mr. Bethel or who may know his whereabouts is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.
