Crime & Safety

NYPD: Disoriented, Homeless LICH Patient Reported Missing

Have you seen this man in South Brooklyn?

A homeless, disoriented patient at Long Island College Hospital was reported missing by the NYPD on Thursday. 

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating 81-year-old Celso Heredia, who was last seen at LICH on Wednesday, July 24, at 4:16 p.m. 

The Hispanic octogenerian is 5'7" in height, with brown eyes, and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a blue and white striped shirt with blue denim jeans and black sneakers, according to reports. Police say he left the hospital without being discharged.

Cops say Heredia is in good physical condition but may require further medical assistance. 

The patient was first found by police in late June walking along the BQE. Unable to speak English, he could not identify himself and believed that the year was 2005 and that he was in California, according to a New York Times article published at the time.

Heredia's identification was later discovered on his person and various authorities have been trying to find a family member or other connection to past residences in Florida and Mexico.

Last week, during the attempted hospital closure, PIX11 reported that a hospital employee purchased Heredia a bus ticket to Florida, which he never made. A doctor later told the media outlet that the hospital was now looking into a flight for him. 

But Heredia has no confirmed home to fly to were he to even board.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).  The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 27463 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.


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