Family alleges Auburn hospital let loved one with severe dementia leave facility, found 9 miles away
May 16, 2025, 5:52 AM
Gary Lay, who suffers from severe dementia, was found about 9 miles away from the hospital. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A family is suing an Auburn hospital after they said their loved one with severe dementia went missing overnight without anyone noticing he was gone.
On Wednesday, Gary Lay and his wife, Marcene, filed a lawsuit against Multicare Auburn Medical Center, accusing the hospital of allowing Gary to leave while in their care.
On June 15, 2024, Gary was found about nine miles away from the hospital in the Covington area.
鈥淗e was admitted into the facility. You know, they took his vitals鈥hey put him in a waiting room and forgot about him. You know, what do you expect an individual of his capacity is gonna do in that situation, said Attorney Neil Stubbs, who鈥檚 representing the family.
Bodycam video from King County deputies shows Gary alone, exhausted, and confused about where he was. The lawsuit said he was found nearly 12 hours after he had disappeared.
The lawsuit聽alleged 鈥渉e was seen leaving by hospital staff, but they did not intervene.鈥�
鈥淭hey did not call the family. They did not notify authorities. No Silver Alert was issued and, uh, no notifications to any other entity that might be able to help find him was made,鈥� Stubbs added.
Multicare responded to KIRO 7 in a statement:
MultiCare鈥檚 commitment to our mission鈥攑artnering for healing and a healthy future鈥攊s unwavering. We have no higher priority than the health and safety of every patient in our care. Since this is ongoing litigation, we鈥檙e unable to comment at this time.鈥�
Stubbs said last year鈥檚 overnight ordeal has already had lasting impacts on Lay.
鈥溾�奙r. Lay鈥檚 condition has substantially and noticeably deteriorated since this incident being out and suffering that level of exhaustion, injuries to his back and a profound disruption of care does impact your cognition,鈥� Stubbs said.
Lay鈥檚 family hopes this doesn鈥檛 happen to any others dealing with dementia.
鈥溾�奡he wants to make sure that this never happens to anyone else ever again. There are policies and procedures to make sure that this doesn鈥檛 happen. None of which were followed,鈥� he said.
