KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The family of Teleka Patrick is pleading for the public’s help.
The 30-year-old was reported missing December 6. She is a medical resident, a daughter, and a big sister.
Dr. Patrick’s parents said she has lived and worked in Kalamazoo since late June at both Borgess and Bronson Hospitals. She made the move after earning a dual degree – with an MD and a PhD out of California.
Her parents, who live in Florida, said their daughter has a busy schedule but makes time to call them at least once a week. That phone call is usually made on Sundays.
On Sunday, December 8, that call never came. Dr. Teleka Patrick had been reported missing two days before.
“We were shocked, disbelief,” Irene Patrick, Dr. Patrick’s mother, told FOX 17 over the phone. She said the family is stricken with grief.
On December 5, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office said someone dropped Teleka Patrick off at her car in the Borgess Medical Center parking lot after her shift. The next day, police said, Patrick didn`t show up for work.
Indiana State Police said they found her car abandoned along I-94, the night before (December 5). The gold 1997 Lexus was found in Portage, Ind.
Patrick’s mother said leaving and not communicating with family is out of character for her daughter. Word of Dr. Patrick’s disappearance is spreading on social media.
“She has an outgoing personality. [She’s a] warm, friendly… a jolly person. Just a lovely person to be around,” Irene Patrick said.
It`s that warm personality that the Patricks anticipate spending time with this Christmas. In fact, they said their daughter had just bought a plane ticket to fly to the Sunshine State. Now they`re anticipation has shifted, as they hope this young woman with outstanding accomplishments is found safe.
“We thought now that she would be able to come out and to make a contribution to society and… do certain things that will make a mark,” said Matthias Patrick, the missing woman’s father. “Now, but it`s sad, it`s somewhat discouraging that we just don’t know what happened.”
“At the same time we are praying. We are a praying family,” he added.
Family members who are performing searches of their own said the Indiana State Police searched on foot and used bloodhounds. They found nothing. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating.
Anyone with information regarding Teleka Patrick’s whereabouts is asked to call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office at this number: 269-383-8748.
