Deputies Search for Missing Teen
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Sheriff’s deputies appealed to the public Friday to help find a missing 17-year-old San Bernardino youth who has the mental and emotional development of an 11-year-old.
Erick Scott Appel has been missing since July 12. Investigators said he is schizophrenic and may experience hallucinations without medication.
“Erick is extremely trusting, vulnerable and susceptible. He is like a 10- or 11-year-old kid in a lot of ways,” said Vince Appel, the youth’s father.
Martha Appel, his stepmother, said the teen-ager looks and speaks normally but tells fanciful, farfetched stories. He blinks his eyes hard when nervous, she said.
The youth is 6 feet, 1 inch tall, weighs approximately 130 pounds and has blue eyes and brown hair in a crew cut. He was last seen riding his purple and white BMX bicycle.
San Bernardino Sheriff’s Detective David Heard said investigators do not believe the missing teen-ager ran away.
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