Disabled Man's Family Calls Texas Equusearch

Intellectual Disability Hampers Search

Derivative from Fox News Photo

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, March 4th, 2013  A family desperate for the return of a loved one called in Texas Equusearch to help them locate a man who went missing in Ocklawaha.

Texas Equusearch, or TES as they call themselves, has chapters in multiple states and is credited with finding many people who law enforcement was unable to locate.  They are also credited with the location and recovery of bodies of people who have perished, which at least gives family members closure.  TES has been a key adviser in the search for the missing schooner, Nina.

Johnny Radabaugh, Jr., a 48 year old who suffers from mental slowing has not been seen for a week.  No evidence has been found to suggest he is not alive, except no one can find him.  Family members have faith and say Johnny is in the forest and alive.

Radabaugh is thought to have the mental capacity of a 3 to 6 year old child.  Therefore, his ability rescue himself is difficult.  However, just as society has struggled with terms to define people with mental impairment, often the person with mental slowing is able to cope in ways not expected.

As is typical, the local police force scaled back operations after they were unable to find Johnny.  The family decided to enlist the aid of TES to apply more resources to the search effort.  TES often works at the behest of law enforcement.  They offer man power, help organize a private search if necessary and help the families organize fund raising events when necessary.  TES is an all volunteer organization.  Funds are used to defray the hard costs of searching.

"They're going to be able to find him. No matter how our situation comes to an end. They're going to give us an end and that's why we called them," said Kim Radabaugh, Johnny's step mom.

The sheriff's office has agreed to help guide TES.  The new physical search could begin as early as March 5, 2013.  The family asks people in the area to watch for piles of rocks, sticks, aresol cans and other evidence Johnny passed through.

A portion of the information in this article was obtained from WCJB TV.