A Portsmouth woman spent a harrowing night after her husband vanished without a trace—only to be found the next morning on the porch of a stranger’s home in Wheelersburg.
- At 7:50 a.m., the woman called 911 to report that her husband had been missing for nearly 24 hours.
- Just 25 minutes later, she called back with an update: a Wheelersburg resident had found the man sitting on their porch.
As it turns out, the man used to live at that address and—due to ongoing mental health issues—had repeatedly wandered back there. The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office picked him up and returned him safely to his home in Portsmouth.
Officers advised the man’s wife to contact Adult Protective Services for additional support and resources.
🧠 When a Loved One Wanders: What You Can Do
Wandering is a serious and common concern for families of adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive challenges. Here’s how you can help protect them:
- Contact Adult Protective Services (APS): They can help assess the situation and connect you with resources, like in-home care or safety tools.
- Secure the home: Use door alarms, locks, and motion sensors to prevent unnoticed exits.
- Provide identification: Ensure your loved one wears a medical ID bracelet with contact info.
- Notify neighbors: Let trusted neighbors know your loved one may wander.
- Consider GPS tracking tools: There are devices made specifically for at-risk adults.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a good Samaritan in Wheelersburg, this story had a safe ending. But for families dealing with similar struggles, it’s a powerful reminder: early planning and support can make all the difference.