Missing Oakley man sought psych help

OAKLEY, Summit County — A man who has not been seen since Aug. 20 had checked himself into a hospital for a psychological evaluation before he went missing, investigators said Tuesday.

Douglas Todd Nelson, 51, of Oakley, voluntarily checked himself in and was therefore able to leave the hospital whenever he chose to, said Summit County Sheriff's Cpl. Ron Bridge.

"We didn't have any kind of action in (the commitment)," Bridge said. "I don't know what kind of assistance he needed."

Family members reported Nelson missing on Aug. 22. Bridge said the sheriff's office didn't seek the public's help in locating Nelson until Monday because it's unclear whether he is missing or "just does not want to be found."

Investigators say Nelson's vehicle has been parked at his home in Oakley the entire time. They do not know whether he has any other means of transportation and therefore believe he may still be in the Salt Lake area.

Nelson is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 205 pounds. He has black hair and green eyes. Authorities have no description of the clothing Nelson was wearing when he was last seen. Anyone with information about Nelson is asked to contact the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 425-615-3600.

— Geoff Liesik