Mother searches for son who walked away from hospital with traumatic brain injury – IndyStar

Nicholas Hisle has been missing since Sunday, when he apparently walked out of Methodist Hospital wearing a gown and no shoes, according to his mother. Hisle, 31, was being treated for a brain injury sustained when he was struck by a vehicle Nov. 7.(Photo: Submitted)

A man who sustained a traumatic brain injury when he was struck by a vehiclein November is missing from Methodist Hospital, according to his mother.

Beth Bridgford of Shelbyville said her son, 31-year-old Nicholas Hisle, apparently walked out of the hospital Sunday morning.

"He disappeared without shoes," she said. "He left in his hospital gown."

An IMPD spokeswoman confirmed Bridgford filed a missing person report. A hospital spokesman declined to confirm or deny Hisle had walked away from the hospital.

"In the event we become aware a patient has left one of our hospitals without appropriate discharge, we immediately engage elopement protocols in an effort to locate them," Jonathon Hosea,Public Relations Manager forIndiana University Health, said in an email. "Team members are trained to report such incidents to local authorities and the patients family and offer any support and assistance we can."

Bridgford said she was notified of the incident by the hospital Sunday. She is concerned because Hisle is still dealing with the effects of the brain injury, and also is on psychiatric medications. He was expected to need more treatment in the hospital and at a rehab facility.

"I spent yesterday posting flyers all over the city. I looked for him everywhere," she said. "Imean, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I call all the hospitals every daybecause I'm, you know, just worried that he got confused and maybe somebody admitted him to another hospital. I've called the morgue every day. I'm doing everything I can."

At Methodist, Bridgford said her son was restrained in a bed with a mesh enclosure that was meant to prevent him from removing medical lines or getting out of bed. She said the hospital has provided no explanation for how he got out of the enclosure that can only be opened from the outside.

An IMPD missing person poster describes Hisle as 5'9" tall and weighing 190 pounds. He has blue eyes, shortbrown hairand stiches on his head. The poster said he could be in theBrookside Park area.

"I'm just trying so hardto get him back into a hospital because this could affect the rest of his life," Bridgford said. "I think he's just scared and confused. And I think he's hiding."

Anyone with information about Hisle can call Bridgford at 317-315-3266 or IMPD at317-327-6160.

Contact Tim Evans at 317-444-6204 or tim.evans@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim.

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Mother searches for son who walked away from hospital with traumatic brain injury - IndyStar