ATLANTA — A 73-year-old stroke patient has been reunited with his family after he disappeared for days from Grady Memorial Hospital.
We’ve learned a doctor at another hospital was the one who found and later recognized the missing man.
Dr. Kalindi Parikh told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington when she saw the man, she recognized him from a previous Channel 2 Action News report.
“When we saw him he was confused and couldn’t really tell us much about him,” Parikh said.
Parikh said she just knew the man with the scruffy white beard looked familiar.
She said she saw a news report about David Brittain and thought he resembled the unidentified man who was found passed out on the street and brought to the Atlanta Medical Center.
“And I saw his picture on there and I thought, ‘Wait, I know him,’” Parikh said.
The grandfather suffered a stroke and was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital in late April.
On May 1, Brittain simply walked out of the hospital and disappeared.
Washington spoke with Brittain’s daughter about his disappearance.
“The blood clot affected his cognition. He couldn’t comprehend what people were saying to him and though he was trying to speak everything would come out jibberish,” Carissa Fields said.
Brittain’s family searched day and night but couldn’t find him – until Parikh stepped in.
She said she took a close look at the pictures from the news reports and called Brittain’s family.
“It actually made me so happy to see him reconnected with his family,” Parikh said.
Brittain’s family told me they’re thankful for Parikh’s quick-thinking and action.
“If you are ever concerned about somebody on the street, it’s always a good idea to call the police,” Parikh said.
Brittain is being treated at Atlanta Medical Center and is doing much better.
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