Alzheimer’s Patient Takes Caretaker’s Car, Boy For Ride

A 63-year-old Seattle man with Alzheimer’s disease took his caretaker’s car - and the 4-year-old boy in the back seat - for a ride Tuesday.

Seattle Police Sgt. Dennis Ramm said the man and boy were found safe in Olympia, 60 miles south of here. No names were provided by police.

Ramm said that about 5 p.m. the caretaker stopped at a Seattle bank and left the car, leaving the patient and the boy inside. Somehow the patient got the car keys and started driving. The boy was in a car seat in the back seat.

A Washington State Patrol officer stopped the car in Olympia at 6:30 p.m. The driver reportedly told the trooper he was headed for Utah.

Ramm said police throughout the area were on the lookout for the car, which was being driven erratically. A Seattle motorist who had seen the car go by reported it as a possibly intoxicated driver.

The boy was taken to a restaurant and given a teddy bear.

Ramm said he didn’t expect charges would be brought against the man.

“Everyone is just glad they’re both safe,” he said.