Searchers find man with dementia, reported missing from DRW care facility, after alerts sent to 1,000 homes

(Update: Details, found 'alive and well' a half-mile from care facility)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An 80-year-old man with dementia, reported missing New Year’s evening from a care facility in Deschutes River Woods, was found "alive and well" early Tuesday morning amid an extensive search and after 1,000 area residents were notified through Deschutes County’s emergency alert system.

Deputies were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. to the report regarding Leland Albert Chase, who was missing from a care facility in the 19000 block of Cherokee Road, Sergeant Jason Wall said.

Chase was described as about 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue pants and black shoes, Wall said. He goes by the name “Lee,” wears glasses and has short gray hair.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers disseminated a message through the Deschutes Alerts system to about 1,000 residences in the area. Sheriff's Search and Rescue crews also were called in to help in the search.

A new alert was sent to area residents around 12:45 a.m. to report that Chase had been located.

Wall later said Chase "was found alive and well a half-mile from his care facility" and taken to St. Charles Bend for a precautionary evaluation.

"The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the residents of Deschutes River Woods and Sunriver Police Department for their assistance in this matter," the sergeant said. 

In the initial announcement, Wall said “Lee is not dangerous,” but he “may be confused or cared if approached by strangers.”