DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) -- A Houston County family is searching for answers after their beloved brother, husband, and uncle disappeared over a month ago from a hospital near the Alabama-Mississippi state line.
"Wherever you are, if you can reach, go to the local police office, shelters, anywhere. We will come and get you. No matter the day, the time, or the hour, we will come get you," said Angela Newson.
Newson, a Dothan native, described her brother, Curtis Bighems, as a calm and laid-back individual who loved his family just as much as he loved Auburn football.
But, according to Newson, on Friday, November 15, Bighems reported to his probation officer while under the influence of alcohol. There, the two discussed bigrams going to a rehab facility--to which he agreed.
That Saturday, Bighemswas transported from his Enterprise home to Hill Hospital in York, Alabama. Less than 24 hours after arriving at the hospital, Bighems suddenly disappeared without a trace, something that the family says is completely out of character.
"He always reaches out. If he does go somewhere, he would reach out; because he has my phone number by heart. My brother, he would call for any reason; even if it was to send him $5 on cashapp," said Newsom.
Newson said that her brother's wife told her Bighems went outside for a cigarette break on the day of his disappearance. About 30 minutes later, when he was supposed to report for breakfast, the hospital staff noticed he was gone, leaving behind all of his belongings and failing to sign a release form.
The family is now saying this could have been prevented if the hospital had done more."
"If it had have been the right protocols, within 20-30 minutes, somebody would have located him; being that he don't have transportation," said Newsom.
The family officially filed a police report on December 13th, and when they asked the hospital for the surveillance footage, they were denied.
To her knowledge, Newson said he has no friends or family in the West Alabama area. Given his health issues and history of having seizures, family members are even more concerned about his whereabouts.
"When they're going through detox, they're at a higher risk of having seizures. So, if he left and may have had a seizure somewhere, and someone saw him or might have given him a ride, that is one of the main reasons we need to if he's okay," said Bighems' niece, Larita Beghems.
Newson and the rest of the family say they will continue their search and will not be able to be at peace until they can bring their loved one back home safe and sound.
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