Man In Wheelchair Remains Missing From Nursing Home

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh police say Eric Kunkle, 39, has been in a wheelchair his entire life and most recently lived at the Manor Care Health Services in Shadyside but went missing last week.

Kunkle is a white male standing 5' 3", with brown hair and brown eyes. He left the manor care facility on Negley Avenue last Sunday in his wheelchair and hasn't been seen or heard from since.

"We don't believe there was anything nefarious involved in his going missing, but he is under the care of manor care and they need to speak to him to make sure that he is healthy and unharmed," said Sonya Toler with Pittsburgh PD.

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Manor Care released this statement:

Last week one of our patients signed out and left the center. Prior to this, it was not unusual for him to take a leave of absence and return at a later time. We strive to make our center as home-like as possible and respect our patients' rights to move about as much a their health and safety will allow.

"He knows how to get around very well. But still, with the weather, there are concerns about his safety," Toler said.

Police say Kunkle is known to frequent Oakland and Shadyside. He isn't in need of immediate medical care, but loved ones want to know he is safe.

"He has family here. A mother who is up in age, his father lives in a different state, so family is not able to search for him," Toler said.