Hamilton police looking for help identifying vulnerable senior in hospital since October

Hamilton police are asking the public for help identifying a vulnerable senior who has been in a Hamilton hospital since the end of October.

The man responds to the name Sam but his identity is not clear.

Police have exhausted all efforts trying to identify him, so the service is taking the unusual step of releasing his picture in hopes that someone knows who he is, said Const. Krista-Lee Ernst.

The senior was first taken to hospital in Georgetown by paramedics and police in Halton Region on Sept. 23 after being found in medical distress. He was treated and discharged from hospital on Oct. 29 and sent from the hospital to a Hamilton shelter.

But the shelter wasn't the best place for him so he was taken back to hospital, in Hamilton, where he remains, police said.

Police and health-care providers have been working ever since to try to identify him.

Ernst said this has included several language interpreters called to try to communicate with the man, but none have been successful.

Before he was taken to hospital, the man was known to frequent GO stations in Halton and Toronto, including Georgetown, Union and Longbranch stations. He was also seen in Halton Hills.

Anyone with information is asked to call the crisis response unit co-ordinator at 905-546-2023.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com