Police found the body of 69-year-old Jose Martinez, who disappeared in April, miles from the adult care center he left.
SAN ANTONIO — A man who disappeared in early April was found dead on Monday.
69-year-old Jose Luis Martinez went missing on April 7 from Midcrown Drive on the northeast side.
Jose’s daughter told KENS 5 her father was last seen at Heavenly Hands Adult Day Center, and it wasn’t until two days later that the Silver Alert for Martinez was sent to the public.
Battling dementia and pancreatic cancer that had spread, Martinez was fighting for his life and time with his family.
“You have no idea how much I regret dropping him off that day – I shouldn’t have,” Martinez’s daughter, Nelida Acevedo, said.
After Martinez spent only a few hours at the adult care center on April seventh, when his daughter, Acevedo, came back to get him, she found out her father had left.
“The director jumps from behind the kitchen area, ‘Oh didn’t you already pick him up?’ and I said, ‘What do you mean – he’s not here?’”
The one they knew as grandpa – and dad – was lost.
“His enjoyment was the horse races…we called it his second home…but he always took care of his home first.”
Acevedo said police found his body off 281 and Nakoma Street, miles from the facility.
“I truly believe a lot more could have been done a lot sooner.”
The facilities director write this to KENS 5 tonight in part, quote:
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family. – It is against their civil right and liberties to keep them against their will – no matter their diagnosis – there is a protocol when participants leave the facility, and I did follow procedure.”
Heavenly Hands has made changes to be in compliance with the state of Texas to ensure this does not happen again.
But Acevedo lost the last days she thought she had with her father.
“If you’re going to take care of people in your facility, knowing they’re not okay, why would you not make sure you watch them well?”
Acevedo is still waiting to hear from the medical examiner on how her father died.
You can donate to their GoFundMe to help raise funds for funeral costs.