 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Missing Marietta man
found near home
Published Wednesday, August 12
By Angela Storey
The Banner-Independent
MARIETTA - A 47-year-old mentally challenged man who wandered away from home on Old Marietta Road Sunday morning was found around 7 p.m. Monday, at least two miles from his home and severely dehydrated, said Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar.
Lewis Daniel Thompson of CR 5051, Booneville, walked away from his home around 9:30 a.m. Sunday. After he did not return later in the day, the Prentiss County Rescue Squad and other volunteers began the search, with a dive team even checking a nearby lake.
Some 34 hours later, Thompson was located on a field road just off CR 5312, around 6:49 p.m. Monday.
"All he wanted was a hamburger and some ice cream," Tolar said. He was taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville where he was treated and released.
The missing man was found by Scott Slack and his brother, Rusty Slack. Scott Slack, an employee at Performance Physical Therapy in Baldwyn, said Monday afternoon someone came in and told him about the missing man and he realized it was close to his home.
On his way home that night he said he felt strongly he needed to look for him.
"I grew up hunting in those woods and knew the area really well. I really felt like God wanted me to go in there and find him," Slack said. He asked his brother, Rusty, the basketball coach at Marietta School, to go with him.
"We prayed about it before we left. I think God led us right in there to him. We just walked in there and walked right to him. No credit is due to us at all. It was just God leading us to him."
He said Thompson, found crouched by a tree, was in pretty good condition, although his feet were cut from being barefooted and he was covered in mosquito bites.
"He was just glad to see somebody."
Thompson's rescuer says this illustrates the importance of being attentive to the Holy Spirit.
"When He prompts you to do something, put feet to it."
Sheriff Randy Tolar expressed appreciation to the many people who aided in the search, as well as those on stand-by who were poised to lend their help. The sheriff extended thanks to the Tri-County Rescue Squad, the Prentiss County Rescue Squad, representatives from almost every volunteer fire department in the county, the Union County Urban Search and Rescue Team (who searched the lake with the dive team); and David Austin of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who was prepared to help with his dog Tuesday morning; Rural Metro Ambulance, the Prentiss County Sheriff's Department employees and Wayne Breedlove who took his airplane up Sunday afternoon to provide an aerial search.
"We had tried to line up people on stand-by so as not to exhaust our resources. We truly appreciate everyone's assistance over the course of the search. We appreciate their diligence and steadfastness. This had a happy ending. With the heat like it was and the possible chance of dehydration, it could have not turned out like it did," Sheriff Tolar said.
"If there is anybody I failed to mention, I apologize. So many were gracious to come and help. Even people offered to bring food and water to the searchers," he said.
Sheriff Tolar says instances like this are one reason TRIAD is holding fundraisers for Project Lifesaver which could provide a waterproof bracelet for those who are mentally challenged or Alzheimer's patients in case they wander away from home.
"Project Lifesaver would significantly reduce the amount of search time, manpower and hours," said Tolar.
TRIAD has been raising funds for Project Lifesaver for over six months, raising a little over $2,000. The project costs between $6,000 and $7,000. During the past six months, one Alzheimer's patient has wandered away from home and now this latest instance.
To contribute to Project Lifesafer, checks may be made payable to Prentiss County TRIAD (Project Lifesaver) and mailed to the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office, 1901 East Chambers Drive, Booneville, MS 38829.
