HAMMOND, La. (WVUE) - The Louisiana Department of Health has launched an investigation into a behavioral facility where a 79-year-old man was able to walk out, which spurred a nearly 24-hour search that ended when his body was discovered nearby.
Officials were scant in their description of the investigation, calling it only a “health standards investigation.”
The search for Huey Kennedy, who was diagnosed with severe dementia and Alzheimer’s, spanned overnight after he apparently walked away from Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Hammond on Saturday.
According to police, the man was found Sunday evening near the facility behind a vacant warehouse. No foul play is suspected, but his cause of death remains under investigation pending the results of an autopsy.
Heat index temperatures in the area exceeded triple digits for much of the weekend.
Family members say he walked out of the facility around 6 p.m. and that hospital staffers were the first ones to notify the authorities and Kennedy’s wife.
Oceans Behavioral released the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Huey Kennedy, and we extend our sympathies to his family.
We were in contact with local law enforcement as they conducted their search and will continue to work with them closely. Any additional questions regarding such can be directed to the Hammond Police Department.
We are committed to maintaining a safe and healing environment for all patients. Out of respect for the family, and in compliance with patient privacy laws, we are unable to share any additional details at this time.
Kennedy was in the facility for two and a half weeks, family members tell Fox 8. They say he was being prepared to move to Oak Park Village, a memory loss assisted living facility, and required around-the-clock care.
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