Family members dropped the couple off at the hotel. This led to the couple being abandoned at the hotel without supervision or their needed personal items.
CHANDLER, Texas — An elderly couple who police say was abandoned by their family members in East Texas is now safe thanks to the efforts of volunteers and officers.
According to the Chandler Police Department, the couple, who appeared to be suffering from cognitive deficiencies, were found Wednesday wandering the lobby of the Best Western Plus hotel in Chandler. Two officers determined they had a room at the hotel, but they clearly seemed lost.
Despite having a room reserved for two nights, the couple didn’t have luggage, food, money or their needed medication with them. Based on their age, police said they could not take care of themselves.
A local restaurant, Los Hermanos, donated food to the couple to hold them over until further arrangements could be made. Police also contacted Texas Adult Protective Services and Joy Neal, a local volunteer and mental health professional. Neal quickly jumped in to get help for the couple.
“Later this same day, Joy was able to get this couple to a Tyler hospital for assessment and helped locate a local nursing home that was willing to take the couple in for placement,” police said.
According to police, family members dropped the couple off at the hotel. This led to the couple being abandoned at the hotel without supervision or their needed personal items.
Police are continuing to investigate the case, but they also extended their thanks to Neal.
“We want to extend our gratitude to the true hero of this story, Joy Neal who is a valuable asset to the City of Chandler and this department,” the post read.