Missing Encinitas man located

A patient admitted to an Oceanside hospital in mid-February under a different name turned out to be an 80-year-old Encinitas man reported missing more than a month ago, sheriff’s officials said.

Gerard Kelly of Encinitas was last seen by neighbors in mid-February, according to a statement from the county sheriff’s department. Deputies visited his home on several occasions and saw his car parked in his garage each time.

Detectives investigating his disappearance turned to contacting local

hospitals. On Thursday, an employee at Tri-City Medical Center told the detectives

there was a patient there who matched Kelly’s description, but was checked in

under another name, authorities said.

Kelly had sought treatment for an undisclosed medical condition on Feb. 15, according to the sheriff’s department. Authorities did not immediately say why Kelly was using another name.