Man once missing in Kent Co. found safe

ALTO, Mich. (WOOD) - A man with diabetes and not carrying his medications who disappeared Tuesday afternoon was found safe Wednesday morning.

Wesley Tate Jr., 56, walked away from the Swanberg Countryside Adult Foster Care, 6575 Whitneyville Ave. SE in Alto, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Police located him around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at Guiding Light Mission, 255 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids. An employee told 24 Hour News 8 that Tate arrived at the shelter Tuesday night and they checked him in. Tate spent the night there.

Officers called shelters in the area Wednesday morning to see if Tate was at any of them. They arrived at Guiding Light Mission when told Tate was there, and completed their investigation.

There was concern for Tate because of his medical condition, and him possibly unable to find shelter against the cold weather.

Authorities had used a helicopter and K-9 units earlier in their search efforts. They also alerted hospitals and taxi companies in the area to be on the lookout for Tate. Police said Tate may have gotten a ride to Grand Rapids where he has ties to the area.