Missing Morris Co. Man Found Using Project Lifesaver

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Two Morris County Sheriff's Office deputies were able to quickly locate a missing 21-year-old Project Lifesaver client who became separated from his caregiver on July 20 in Pequannock's Mountainside Park.

Detective Marc Adamsky and Sheriff's Officer Ashley Craig were able to locate the missing Butler man using a Project Life Saver receiver after the Sheriff's Office organized and deployed a search effort.

After being evaluated by EMS with concern due to the hot weather, the client was determined to be in good health and was reunited with his caregiver on the scene, officials said.

According to police, the 21-year-old man was enjoying the park when he became separated from his caregiver. The caregiver, who eventually lost sight of the man near a parking area that leads to access points for additional trails, contacted the Sheriff's Office at 11:42 a.m. on Wednesday.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Adamsky and Craig used a Project Life Saver receiver to locate the missing man outside the park's boundaries.

“Our officers did an excellent job today. I am extremely proud of all of them. The coordination of the search was efficient and effective along with a very timely response," Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

Project Lifesaver, which began in Chesapeake, Virginia, in 1999 as a quick and dependable way of finding at-risk individuals, is free and provides enhanced support and assistance to Morris County residents who are primary caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia disorder, as well as families of children with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injuries, or cognitive impairments, according to officials.

Officers in the program are certified and trained on the equipment, and they attend autism and Alzheimer's training classes.

All 156 adults and children currently enrolled in the Morris County Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver program wear a wrist or ankle bracelet with a small transmitter and individual code that emits a signal that law enforcement officers can use to track the person if they go missing.

The program not only keeps the client safe but also reduces search time and gives caregivers peace of mind. Morris County's average speed rate at finding clients is better than the national average – approximately 13 minutes in Morris County versus about 30 minutes on average nationally.

"This is an outstanding program that reassures the families and caregivers that all possible resources will be utilized to locate and return their loved one home safely. It assists the local municipalities with fast results and keeps the residents of Morris County safe in all seasons,” Gannon said.

Founded on the principle of providing peace of mind to families and caregivers, the program operates nationwide, allowing families to vacation and still use the program to find a loved one if he or she wanders.

For information on how to connect a loved one to Project Lifesaver visit the website.