03/21/13 (Update): Derick Higgins, 21, Smithfield, IL

Derick Higgins Missing since 3/21/13
from Smithfield, IL

I am thrilled to announce that Derick Higgins has been found safe. Derek turned up in San Diego in January 2015 and has since been reunited with his family.

"I don't even know how to explain it. There is not a way to explain it, there is not a word in the dictionary that can explain how we feel,” his parents Tim Higgins and Deb Corsaw told CBS8.com.
"When we first saw him, the first thing he did was stand up and gave us both a hug and it was....such a relief," said Higgins.

It was during a routine traffic stop that police noticed Higgins acting nervous. When his name came up in the police computer as endangered, police took him into protective custody and  brought him to the local hospital. Higgins had been living alone on the street for 22 months begging for money, fending off robbers, getting beaten and burned and eating out of trash cans. His father told the Journal Star that his son tested negative for drugs, was struggling with memory problems. CBS8.com reported that his parents believe, "prior accidents contributed to his disappearance and his memory loss."

“We are very nervous....we have a long road ahead," his father told CBS8.com. But we see light at the end of the road, we are very happy about everything.” 

His parents encourage parents of the missing to have hope. 

“Don't give up. Be persistent,” added Corsaw.


Sources:

Alford, Abbie.  Man missing for two years is found in San Diego. January 22, 2015. CBS8.com.
Accessed April 26, 2015 from http://www.cbs8.com/story/27910166/man-missing-for-two-years-is-found-in-san-diego.

Luciano, Phil. Luciano: Parents of Derick Higgins say he's looking forward to coming home. January 21, 2015. Journal Star.com. Accessed April 26, 2015 from http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150121/NEWS/150129783/?Start=1

12/01/12: Michael Davids, Andover, MN

Michael Davids
Found Safe!

Michael Davids has been found safe!  In a statement Saturday night, Tricia Reis from the CUE Center for Missing Persons said, "Thank you all for your responses to a family in need. This is truly the outcome we all hoped for!" No further details have been released.

 

Missing student found safe

Taylor Lee Franco, 19, a Hawkeye Community College student and native of Davenport, Ia., was last seen about about 5:50 a.m. on Sunday, April 1 when he mistakenly showed up at a house on the 116th block of La Porte Road in rural La Porte, Ia. Franco didn't have any connections to the home. When approached by the residents, he appeared to think it was his home but then walked off, leaving his shoes behind.

Deputies later found a vehicle registered to Franco's parents just north of the property at the dead end of a gravel road.

Crews with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, Iowa State Patrol, La Porte City police and fire departments used airplanes, horses and all-terrain vehicles to look for Franco on Sunday and Monday. Officers searched the Klima Wildlife Area and other woodlands, flood plains and fields west of the Cedar River around La Porte City. Franco's parents also traveled to help with the effort.

At about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, crews found bare footprints and dog footprints headed south from the property along the river. Authorities believe the resident's bloodhound followed Franco. Authorities also found a pair of sweatpants, but it wasn't immediately clear if they were associated with Franco.

According to the WCF Courier, those close to Franco didn't report any unusual behavior, circumstances or medical concerns, although roommates and friends did notice he had been down over the weekend.

On Monday, April 2, 2012, Joel Bishop, a La Porte City man out for his morning bike ride, found Franco. Bishop was riding his bike north along the recreational trail near the Cedar River. When he got to the gazebo just south of Weiden Road he was greeted by the missing bloodhound. Inside the gazebo, he found Franco. The student didn't have a jacket but was wearing a fleece vest. Bishop hadn't been actively looking for the missing student, but he had heard about his disappearance on the news. Things clicked.

Franco wanted to keep walking, so Bishop stayed with him, offering him peanut butter crackers and his sweatshirt, which Franco declined. He said the student seemed slightly dazed but could hold a conversation. Bishop was without his cell phone and went to two houses before finally finding some construction workers who were able to call the authorities.

Black Hawk County sheriff’s deputies and La Porte medics then caught up with Franco. Authorities said he resisted medical help and did not seem to recognize his parents. Thompson told the WCF Courier that the student wasn't making much sense.

Yet, deputies were able to piece together Franco's trail. After leaving the house on La Porte Road, the student headed east and then turned southeast at the Cedar River. From there he met up with Wolf Creek and followed that west almost into La Porte City before heading back north on the bike path.

“He made a big figure six from the house, a big lazy loop,” Thompson said.

Franco apparently shed his sweatpants along the way. He pulled a plumbers outfit from a parked vehicle north of the LaPorte Road home and donned that as he continued on his way. He apparently spent Sunday night outside.

Even though Franco’s entered the La Porte City home and took the work clothes, Thompson said he isn’t considering any criminal charges in connection with the incident.

“This is just a young man who needed help,” Thompson said.

Thompson suspects a medical issue was behind the events. He said friends were adamant that the student didn’t drink, and this was uncharacteristic for him.

Medics with La Porte City Ambulance took Franco to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.


Sources

Reinitz, Jeff. (2012, April 2). Missing Hawkeye Community College student found alive. WCF Courier. Accessed Sept. 2, 2012 from:

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/update-missing-hawkeye-community-college-student-found-alive/article_a7292050-7c55-11e1-b06f-001a4bcf887a.htm

08/23/10: Eric Robertson, 21, Clinton, SC

Eric Robertson

Update 10/22: I am very pleased to report that Eric Robertson has been found safe!!

The Presbyterian College student missing since August was found late Thursday night (10/21/10) in Michigan. Customs and immigration officials have reported that Robertson was found trying to cross the border into Canada. It is still not known why Robertson was trying to cross the border.

Here is a link to the full article: http://www.wyff4.com/r/25474516/detail.html.



Eric's Story
Eric C. Robertson, a 21-year-old junior at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC has not been seen since 11 p.m. on August 23.

Robertson spoke with his girlfriend at 8:30 p.m. on Monday. "She lived in Greenville," Eric's father, James, told Shelton Dutes of WCSC TV. "He had said he was just doing some laundry and would come up and see her, but he never made it," Robertson said. No one has seen or heard from the young man since then. Robertson, who is from Summerville, lives on the college's campus in Clinton, SC, and was about to start his senior year. His phone was found in his dorm room, and his car was still on campus. When no one could reach Robertson, his mother called campus police.

Law enforcement searched Robertson's dorm room and car for clues, but did not find anything suspicious. They also searched three miles of a wooded area surrounding the school in the hopes of finding the missing student. Rescue crews have also conducted a grid search near the ball fields at the college, and they have searched all campus buildings, rooftops, and the vacant homes in the immediate area. The college has sent out an e-mail alerting the entire student body and staff about Robertson's disappearance.

Eric Robertson
less than a week before
he disappeared. (WCSC).

Clinton Public Safety Director Stacy Drakeford said that the student has some medical issues, so there is concern for his safety. "We don't suspect any foul play," said Drakeford, "but this gentleman, because of his serious medical issues, has ramped this up to where we're using a coordinated effort with all the local jurisdictions in an attempt to try and locate him," Drakeford told News4's Mike McCormick.
Investigators have contacted local hospitals, but have not been able to locate Robertson.

Clinton Police, the State Law Enforcement Division, the Laurens Police Department and the Laurens County Sheriff's Office are investigating Robertson's disappearance. Clinton public safety, SLED agents, DNR, and other local agencies have been assisting in the search for the missing student.

According toWGD Today, authorities said that Robertson has mental health issues, but they were not able to elaborate further. It is unclear whether this has been confirmed. The Robertson family told WCSC that Eric Robertson had a kidney infection that caused him to have fevers.

Students at Presbyterian College say Robertson is a nice but quiet student, involved in theater and other activities.

He graduated from Summerville High School in 2007 where he was part of the marching and concert band, playing tenor drums all four years of high school. His friends say he has a musical talent. His high school band director, Leslie Gilreath, also remembers him as "a charismatic fun-loving guy, kids were very fond of." (WCSC, 8/27/10). Friends told WCSC that Robertson has three brothers who were also part of the band, and his mother lives in Summerville.

Robertson may be in the Laurens or Greenville areas. He is described as a white male, aged 21, with black hair and blue eyes and a pierced eyebrow. He is five feet, nine inches tall and weighs approximately 135 pounds. There is no description available of the clothing Robertson was wearing when he was last seen.

If you have seen Robertson or have information on his whereabouts you are asked to contact Clinton Department of Public Safety at 864-833-7510 or Crime Stoppers at 68-CRIME.

Facts of Interest:
Name/age: Eric Christie Robertson, 21
Last seen: 8/23/10, Clinton, SC
Description: 5'9", 135 pounds, black hair, blue eyes
Residence: Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Hometown: Summerville, SC

09/17/10: Matthew Anderson, 29, Roseville, MN

Update: Matthew Anderson has been found safe!

Matthew Anderson

On September 24, Matthew Anderson was found unharmed at a construction site in Las Vegas, Nevada and taken to a hospital. He was described as being in "good medical condition." Authorities have declined to answer whether Anderson was alone or why he was taken to the hospital.

A press release issued Sept. 24 by The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation revealed that Anderson had “left Minnesota on his own volition,” traveling to Las Vegas via Chicago.

According to The Pioneer Press, there are no plans to press charges against Anderson since he made the kidnapping claim to his wife and not to the police.

The young man's family plans to bring him home.

"There have been a lot of people praying for him, a lot of people with nothing but optimism and positive vibes," his father, William Anderson, told The Pioneer Press.

Footprints at the River's Edge is thankful that this young man can be brought home safely to his family!

03/27/10: Missing La Crosse student found safe

Reprinted from the GazetteXtra:

Police say intoxicated missing UW-L student found in car after search

By MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9 p.m.

Mar. 27--La Crosse police searched for more than five hours today before they found a missing 22-year-old University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student who had been last seen at 1 a.m. leaving the State Room bar downtown.

A police officer found Justin Hoard, of 302 N. 10th St., asleep in a car in a parking lot at 1003 Zeisler St. at about 9 a.m. Police said he had vomited outside the car and crawled into it to sleep.

He was awakened and submitted to a preliminary breath test that showed his blood-alcohol level to be about 0.09 percent. Based on that result at 9 a.m., his level at the time he left the bar would have been 0.21 percent, police said. The legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent.

Hoard told officers he had been drinking at a number of bars before going to the State Room, and did not remember going there. He left to walk home, became disoriented and could not find his residence, police said. Police started searching for him after receiving a missing-person report about 3:20 a.m.

Hoard was cited for disorderly conduct and also received a public intoxication warning, which requires him to attend a class.

In a press release, Police Chief Edward Kondracki said he wished Hoard could be charged with more because his drunken behavior had a huge negative impact on family, friends and the community.

Police called in three off-duty detectives and held over some third-shift personnel to help search for Hoard.

03/12/10: Lei Deng, 26, Oswego, NY

Lei Deng has been found SAFE!!

Lei Deng, 26, was last seen around 8 a.m. Friday in Hart Hall on the State University of New York (SUNY)-Oswego campus in upstate New York near Lake Ontario. He had planned to go home to Queens for the weekend and had called home to "ensure his parents had his favorite foods," but then never showed up. At the time, police believe he may have taken a bus out of Syracuse to New York City, but no one had heard from him since 10:30 p.m. March 12.

On March 19, SUNY Oswego Police reported that Deng had been found safe and unharmed in New York City.

Missing man quickly found safe in Eau Claire, WI

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, a Fall Creek, Wisconsin man was found safe along the banks of Half Moon Lake after a two-hour search.