In the quiet community of Etna, Ohio, a family's life was disrupted when 19-year-old Joshua Yates went missing on the evening of November 2, 2026. The young man, a resident of a local care facility, was last seen at approximately 6:22 p.m. walking away from his residence on Tolgate Road. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a grey shirt and black pants. His sudden absence prompted immediate concern from his caregivers and family, who were left to wonder where he could have gone. The Licking County Sheriff's Office was notified, and an endangered missing adult alert was issued, marking the beginning of a difficult journey for all who knew him.
Joshua is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 158 pounds. Compounding the urgency of his disappearance is the fact that Joshua lives with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health challenges that require medication.
Concerns were raised that without his medication, he might experience delusions, further endangering his well-being. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children noted that he may be in need of medical attention. Family members expressed their deep distress and confusion over his disappearance, particularly how he was able to leave a 24-hour care facility without anyone being alerted.
In the days that followed Joshua’s disappearance, the Licking County Sheriff's Office launched an extensive search operation. More than 100 officers were involved in canvassing the area and conducting door-to-door searches, while over 50 drone missions scoured the landscape from above. Additionally, more than 15,000 alerts were sent to residents in the vicinity, and numerous interviews and investigative follow-ups were conducted in an effort to uncover any information that might lead to his whereabouts. Despite these exhaustive efforts, there have been no public updates on the outcome of the search. The case has left a lingering sense of uncertainty, as the question of what happened to Joshua Yates remains unanswered. The investigation into his disappearance is a somber reminder of the vulnerability of some members of our community and the profound impact of a loved one going missing. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the Licking County Sheriff's Office.Last Seen: Nov 2, 2026
