A rural Steuben County woman called the sheriff's department Thursday night because she found items on and around her property that are commonly used to make meth.A Silver Alert was issued Sunday afternoon for a man who went missing from his family’s Steuben County lake home the same day.
Meanwhile, his family said they have few answers as to why 48-year-old Stuart Stalcup went missing. Stalcup disappeared from his family’s home along Snow Lake in Fremont between 12 and 6 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.
Stalcup is 5-foot-8 and weighs 160 pounds. He has balding dark hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a plaid flannel shirt, blue jeans and a blue and yellow vest. He was last seen traveling on foot, according to Steuben County sheriff’s deputies.
Stalcup, of Wichita, Kan., has been living in Fort Wayne with his parents since suffering from a stroke in December, said his father, Robert Stalcup. The family was staying at their lake home in Fremont this weekend, he said.
The last time they saw their son was at bedtime Saturday night, Robert Stalcup said. His son, who has severe diabetes, was scheduled to eat breakfast and take an insulin shot at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
When Robert awoke, his son was missing from his bedroom. The family does not suspect any type of entry to the home – saying Stalcup left on his own accord. He does not have insulin with him, Robert Stalcup said. Robert Stalcup said the family does not know why he would leave or where he went.
“I don’t know for sure if he has identification on him,” he said, adding that “it would be a little difficult for him to convey where he lives.”
Stuart Stalcup, who had not been found as of 10 p.m. Sunday, has a speech impairment, his father said.
The Silver Alert system mirrors the current Amber Alert system for missing children. Activated in July, the Silver Alert covers adults with dementia who go missing – along with anyone else considered to be an endangered adult. That could be someone incapable of returning without assistance because of a mental illness, mental retardation or another physical or mental incapacity.
High-risk missing people, those who require medical attention, are also covered under Silver Alerts.
Authorities have launched a mounted search and rescue and a K-9 search to try to find Stalcup. Anyone with information on Stalcup’s disappearance should call deputies at 260-665-3131.
