Larry Everett Starks, 69, disappeared in Florida four years ago. He turned up in Southern California last week and then vanished again before his family could reach him.
His daughter, Kiersten Carlin, has been putting up flyers and handing out information. She says Starks is a retired sheriff's deputy and a veteran who has schizophrenia and dementia. He has apparently been living on the streets with an injured leg.
"My dad has always been an outstanding citizen. He's just a good person," said Carlin.
Carlin has been canvassing the Downey area where her dad was spotted last Thursday. Employees of a restaurant found Starks slouched against a wall outside. They called police, and Starks was taken to a hospital. By the time his daughter found out where he was the following day, he had been released from the hospital. No one has heard from him ever since.
"Everyone's always seen a missing persons story and I never thought I'd be on the other side of the camera, but I'm willing to do whatever I have to do to find my dad," said Carlin.
Vet Hunters Project, a group that finds homeless veterans, has joined Carlin in her search.
Anyone with information was asked to call Downey police at (562) 861-0771.
