A Livingston Parish family is seeking answers after the phone of their loved one, Karl Vaughn, went missing following a trip to the emergency room. The incident has left the family not only grieving the loss of Vaughn but also searching for an explanation regarding his missing personal belongings.
The Incident
On January 9, Karl Vaughn fell at his home in Livingston Parish, prompting his family to call Acadian Ambulance to take him to Ochsner Medical Center on O’Neal Lane. According to his wife, Bonnie Vaughn, Karl was moved between rooms during his stay, and it was at that time that his phone disappeared.
“They had him in one room in the emergency room, and they moved him to another one. He was still in his clothes. Everything was still on him,” Bonnie recalled. “They brought me the bag of clothes. I didn’t look in it. I just assumed everything was in it. But we knew the cell phone was gone.”
The Disappearance of the Phone
Records from Karl Vaughn’s cell phone indicate that the phone was used at least twice after the family last saw it in his possession. Despite this, the phone has not been returned, and the family is left with unanswered questions about its whereabouts.
Karl Vaughn’s Passing and the Ongoing Investigation
Karl Vaughn passed away on January 11, and shortly after, his family inquired about his missing personal belongings with the hospital’s Patient and Provider Advocacy department. The hospital responded with a letter stating that an update on the investigation into his personal effects would be provided by March 6. However, as of March 30, the Vaughn family has not received any updates on the investigation.
Bonnie Vaughn expressed her frustration, saying, “We haven’t heard nothing, and here it is, March the 30th. I just want the safe return of my husband’s belongings, or at least an update to the investigation. It’s hard enough to lose somebody, and to lose their stuff too?”
Hospital’s Response
WBRZ spoke to a representative from Ochsner Medical Center, who explained that due to patient privacy concerns, the hospital could not provide further updates regarding the investigation. However, the family continues to seek closure on the matter, hoping for the safe return of Karl Vaughn’s phone and a resolution to the situation.
