July 8th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

West Virginia now joins Maryland incorporating “Purple Alerts” into their public notification systems. Similar to Amber or Silver Alerts, Purple Alerts are for missing persons who have cognitive issues including brain injuries. Alerts go out when an individual is believed to be missing or in danger. Kristen Cusato of the Alzheimer’s Association says the alerts make the public more aware of people they may come across…

“Six out of ten people who have Alzheimer’s will wander. It’s a brain disease that’s really causing an issue as far as them not being able to retrace their steps and not getting back to where they came from.”