THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240395
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 37 lines
The family of a mentally disabled man missing since last month is renewing public appeals for help in their search.
Curtis Pailen, 62, left Heritage Care Retirement Home in Elizabeth City between 6 a.m. and 12:39 p.m. on June 15, when an employee reported Pailen missing to police.
``I am so frustrated. Every time the phone rings I think it's somebody telling me they've found his body,'' said Arlene Lamb, Pailen's sister.
Lamb took care of her brother for four years before Pailen moved into Heritage Care in 1994.
Pailen, who is African American, was believed to be traveling north on foot and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, brown khaki pants and brown shoes.
He is six feet tall and weighs 185 pounds.
Pailen has difficulty hearing and a history of mental health problems. When he becomes frustrated by his inability to hear, he can turn violent, police and family said Tuesday.
A massive manhunt by both land and air was launched when Pailen turned up missing, but efforts proved futile.
``We've beaten the bushes looking for this man, but so far we haven't turned up anything,'' said Det. Randy Smithson of the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Department.
Local authorities are being assisted by law enforcement agents in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, who have been advised to be on the lookout for Pailen.
Pailen was living in Delaware before he moved to Elizabeth City, Lamb said.
Anyone with information about Pailen should call the sheriff's department at (919) 338-2191.
Lamb can also be reached in the evening at 338-1019.
KEYWORDS: MISSING PERSON by CNB