Authorities find missing Madison County man

Police say a missing Madison County man who suffers from brain damage has been found safe.

Kevin Beasley, 38, was recognized at mid-day Tuesday when he went to an Alton pharmacy and attempted to get his medication. Employees of the store were aware of the media attention Beasley received while missing for nearly two weeks and asked him to call his father, South Roxana Police Department Chief Bob Coles said.

“He’s doing fine considering the state he’s in,” Coles said. “He said he decided that he wants to live independently, and he was giving it a try.”

Coles said he fears for Beasley’s safety. But no crimes were committed and so there was nothing police could do to compel Beasley to return to living with his father.

“He’s safe for now,” Coles said. “But his situation is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.”

Beasley has suffered from mental issues since he was about 12 years old. He was hit by a car and suffered a severe brain injury that narrowly missed claiming his life. Instead he’s left with schizophrenia and delusions. Sometimes he thinks he’s God and others he believes he is a demon.

Police spent much of Tuesday chasing reports that Beasley was at the Salvation Army shelter in Alton late Monday. He also sought help at the Chestnut Health Systems mental hospital in Alton while he was missing.

Coles said Alton Salvation Army leaders are familiar with Beasley, because he comes into the location once a month on average. They said Beasley appeared to be in good health and wasn’t behaving any differently than he usually does.

Beasley told police he plans to meet with his father to discuss his future plans. But, especially with cuts recently made to the state’s mental health programs, there is no way to commit Beasley to a mental hospital for more than a couple of days.

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 6:51 AM with the headline "Authorities find missing Madison County man."