Los Angeles County Launches Smartwatch Program to Aid Missing Persons

The Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department has introduced a new initiative aimed at enhancing the safety of individuals with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and autism. During a press event on October 15, 2025, officials launched the L.A. Found program, which utilizes advanced GPS-enabled smartwatches to help track missing persons. This technology is especially significant given the tragic case of Kirk Moody’s wife, Nancy Paulikas, who went missing in 2016 and was later found deceased after extensive searches.

At the event held at Gloria Molina Grand Park, Kirk Moody shared his harrowing experience. “It took 26 months to learn we would not find her alive. She had passed,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of effective tracking solutions for vulnerable individuals.

The newly introduced Theora Care Smartwatch is designed to provide real-time location tracking and instant alerts to caregivers via a mobile application. If a wearer strays from a designated safe zone, caregivers receive immediate notifications. The device also features an SOS button, allowing the wearer to call for help if needed.

The watch is part of a broader initiative to improve the safety of the over 190,000 older adults in Los Angeles County living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Additionally, the program targets the approximately one in 22 children diagnosed with autism in California, who may also wander off due to their conditions.

The L.A. Found program has distributed several dozen of these smartwatches and aims to provide them free of charge to families caring for individuals susceptible to wandering. The watches are often paired with the Project Lifesaver bracelet program, which uses radio signals to assist first responders in locating lost individuals. Since its inception in 2018, over 1,800 bracelets have been distributed, demonstrating the program’s growing impact.

LASD Commander Geff Deedrick noted that this technology significantly enhances search efforts. “By having this technology that enables us to track them; we have found those with autism whom we’ve learned tend to want to go to water. We can get to them more quickly and stop them from the risk of drowning,” he explained.

Kate Movius, a member of the L.A. Found Task Force and founder of Autism Interaction Solutions, highlighted the critical nature of these devices. She shared a personal story about her son, who wandered away at age 14 and was hospitalized as a John Doe. According to Movius, statistics indicate that approximately 91% of wandering deaths for individuals with autism are due to drowning, underscoring the life-saving potential of the smartwatch technology.

During the event, Mary Brown spoke about her daughter, Jordan Nichole Wall, who has Down syndrome and has previously wandered off during outings. She recounted a distressing incident at Santa Monica beach when Jordan became separated from the group. “Had we had a device like this, we could’ve found her much quicker,” Brown remarked, as Jordan showcased her new smartwatch, prompting applause from the audience.

Janet Rivera, who cares for her mother with dementia and her son with cognitive disabilities, expressed her relief at having access to the smartwatch technology. “For us parents, with a son with special needs and a mom with dementia, it is a lot about the peace of mind we get,” she stated. The ability to track loved ones offers families reassurance and enables more effective responses in emergencies.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-authored the motion that launched L.A. Found in 2018, affirmed the program’s importance. “Every family member or caregiver deserves the peace of mind knowing your loved one will be found if they go missing,” she declared.

For those interested in learning more about the L.A. Found program or to apply for a smartwatch, details are available at ad.lacounty.gov/LAFOUND or by calling 1-833-569-7651. The initiative represents a significant step forward in protecting vulnerable populations and providing families with essential tools to ensure safety.