Search underway for missing elderly man
(Litchfield-WTNH) _ The heat is causing concern in Litchfield where officials are searching for an elderly man. The 81-year old has Alzheimer's Disease. He walked away from a nursing home Monday morning.
News Channel 8's Andrea Stassou reports.

More than 11 hours after he vanished police say they have no solid leads to where James Garris could be. He was last seen at the Sarah Pierce Assisted Living Center in Litchfield this morning.

Police have been combing the area within a one mile radius of the nursing home using search dogs and even a state police plane.

Police say Garris suffers from dementia, and that, combined with the oppressive heat, has police very concerned.

Sgt. J. Paul Vance, State Police: "We believe this has become a critical stage in attempting to locate this gentleman, due to his age and due to the severity of the weather that we're experiencing."

There area around the center is thickly populated with trees and greenery and shrubs, so this is a very challenging search.

State police say Garris is a while male, 5'9", 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a white T-shirt. Anyone who may have seen him is urged to contact State Police.

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