Missing Elderly Man With Dementia Is Safe

A 76-year-old Camden man with dementia is safe after wandering away from the assisted living facility where he lives.

It was around 10:00 Tuesday night when Camden Police notified Corporal Michelle Merrifield of the Maine Warden Service about the search for Peaceful Dawn, who had wandered away from his home. Mr. Dawn was last seen around 1:30 Tuesday afternoon on John Street, near the entrance to Merry Spring Gardens, which is an assisted living facility.

Warden Corporal John MacDonald says, after searching the area near the facility, Merrifield and her K9 partner Piper attempted to track Dawn. They checked a grassy entrance to a nearby powerline and, when Piper indicated a scent, Merrifield called out Dawn's name and heard a faint response.

Mr. Dawn was located about 400 yards away along the power line and had walked into a swamp where he couldn't move. MacDonald says Dawn was confused, dehydrated, and weak. His legs were covered with abrasions and he could no longer stand on his own. Merrifield called for help from Camden Police Officer Sam Butler, and then called in Camden Fire, who brought a litter so they could carry Dawn back to a waiting ambulance. MacDonald says Mr. Dawn is doing well today.