Jul 01, 2022

Police: Subject of Kansas Silver Alert tracked to east Texas

Posted Jul 01, 2022 2:00 AM
Hayes-photo Butler Co. Sheriff
Hayes-photo Butler Co. Sheriff

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas man identified in a Silver Alert has been tracked to eastern Texas. 

Joseph Moody Hayes' phone was pinged as recently as a few days ago in the New Boston area of Bowie County Texas, according to a social media report from the Texarkana, Texas Police Department. 

Authorities believe the 71-year-old Towanda, Kansas, man was on Highway 8, headed toward Dequeen, Arkansas. He may still be in the Texarkana area, according to police.

On Tuesday, Butler County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for Hayes.

He left his home in Towanda, Kansas on Monday, June 20, en route to Anniston, Alabama to visit family. He never made it. Hayes was driving a 2014 Black Dodge Ram 1500 bearing Kansas tag 576HZW.

Hayes-photo Butler Co. Sheriff
Hayes-photo Butler Co. Sheriff

Hayes is a 71-year-old white male. He is around 5 foot-8 inches tall, and weighs 175 pounds. He has blue eyes and grey hair.

While traveling, he contacted family and informed them that he got turned around in the Fort Worth, Texas area. They suggested he turn around and head back to Kansas. Joseph Hayes never arrived in Kansas.

On Thursday, June 23, Hayes’s vehicle was spotted via license plate reader in Williamson County, Texas. One of his daughters made contact with him via telephone on Sunday, June 26, and he believed he was in the Dallas, Texas area.

Hayes has suffered a previous stroke, has high blood pressure, and family indicates he has shown signs of dementia. 

If you see Joseph Hayes, or have information about his whereabouts, please immediately contact 911, or the Butler County Sheriff’s Office at 316-322-4398.