‘We just want him back.’ Norwalk family says loved one walked out of hospital, now missing

Jonnathan Landy Villa, 27, was at Yale New Haven Hospital since April 1, according to his family.

Marissa Alter

Apr 21, 2023, 10:14 PM

Updated 532 days ago

Share:

A Norwalk family is looking for a missing loved one and answers to how he left the hospital where he was admitted. Jonnathan Landy Villa, 27, was at Yale New Haven Hospital since April 1, according to his family. They told News 12 that doctors there recently diagnosed Landy Villa with NMDAR encephalitis, a rare auto-immune disease that causes seizures, memory loss and confusion.
“The main symptom is him being confused,” said Nadelin Loja, Landy Villa’s sister. “Sometimes there would be days where he just didn't know where he is, he didn't know what his name was.”
That’s why Loja is so worried. She and her mom went to the hospital Thursday afternoon to visit her brother and found his room empty. According to Loja, staff didn't even know Landy Villa was gone. She said security was called, and it was determined he'd walked out an emergency exit door.
“It says on the door, 'Alarm will sound if the emergency exit door is open,' but it didn't,” Loja claimed. She also told News 12 her brother has a bed alarm to alert staff when he tries to leave, but the nurse that day didn’t put the alarm on.
Loja said the hospital called New Haven police, who responded there, then drove around looking for Landy Villa but came up empty. Loja and her mom have been doing their own search as well.
“We've been looking everywhere. We don't even live here, but we've been guessing like where he could be,” Loja said getting emotional. “We went to train stations. We went to bus stops and nothing.”
A spokesperson for Yale New Haven Hospital told News 12 there's little they can say due to HIPPA but released the following statement:
"Yale New Haven Hospital is committed to providing the safest and highest quality of care possible. We take our responsibility to protect patients seriously and to that end, work closely with local agencies to ensure patient safety."
The spokesperson also directed News 12 to police for more information, but they have not responded to requests for comment.
Loja claimed her family has gotten no answers from the hospital, so she's appealing to the public to get her brother home.
“We just want him back," she said.
According to the family, Landy-Villa was last seen wearing a gray hoodie with a teddy bear on the front of it, gray sweatpants and slip-on sandals and carrying a green and black beach bag. He also may have his hospital bracelet on.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (203)-946-6316 or call the anonymous tip line at 1-866-888-TIPS(8477) or 203-946-6296. Anonymous tips can also be texted by sending “NHPD plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES) or emailing ECIC@newhavenct.gov.