Facility Alert: Missing Resident from Sanford Manor Assisted Living Facility in Florida

A recent elopement incident at a licensed assisted living facility in Sanford, Florida has raised serious questions about resident supervision and safety protocols. A resident with a known mental health condition reportedly walked away from Sanford Manor Assisted Living Facility and has not been found. Police have classified the individual as endangered, citing cognitive impairments that may limit his ability to recognize danger or seek help.

Click here to read the full news report about the ongoing search and the circumstances surrounding the resident’s disappearance.

At this time, it remains unclear how the resident was able to exit the facility without appropriate supervision, raising serious questions about staffing levels, monitoring protocols, and whether the facility had sufficient safeguards in place to protect vulnerable residents.

Missing Resident Incidents at Assisted Living Facilities in Florida

When a resident goes missing from an assisted living facility, it is typically due to elopement. Elopement occurs when a resident with cognitive, psychiatric, or developmental conditions leaves the facility without permission or supervision. These incidents are especially dangerous when the resident cannot recognize hazards, ask for help, or find their way back safely.

In Florida, assisted living facilities (ALFs) have a legal duty to prevent elopement by putting safeguards in place. These include:

• Individualized supervision plans

• Door alarms and secured exits

• Staff training to prevent wandering and respond quickly

• Regular monitoring of residents who are at risk for elopement

  
  

When these safety measures are missing or ignored, the outcome can be devastating. A missing resident is often a sign that the facility failed to meet its basic responsibilities.

Legal Options After an Assisted Living Elopement in Florida

If your loved one was injured—or worse—after wandering from a Florida assisted living facility, you may have a claim for negligence or wrongful death. Elopement incidents are often preventable and may point to broader systemic issues within the facility. Call the experienced attorneys at FIDJ for a FREE case review.