Missing Vulnerable Adults & Caretakers Found At Tacoma Hotel

SPANAWAY, WA — The Pierce County Sheriff's Department has launched an investigation, trying to find out why six adults briefly vanished earlier this week.

Wednesday the Sheriff's Department sounded the alarm over the missing group, which included two caretakers and four vulnerable adults with physical and mental health conditions who need round the clock care and supervision. Two are likely non-verbal and would not be able to signal for help. Also missing are the group's two caretakers.

The four reportedly left the DSHS Office with their caretakers, who took them away in a silver minivan. According to deputies, one of the caretakers told DSHS employees she was worried about her own safety and the safety of her clients, and had been looking for another place to take them.

But shortly after asking the public for help finding the group, one of the caretakers saw the alert and contacted deputies. All six were discovered to have been staying at a Tacoma hotel. All are unharmed, but deputies say they are still unsure why they left their group home.