Officers searching for missing, endangered man

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Buckley police and Pierce County deputies are searching for a missing and endangered man who was last seen Friday.

Deputies said Joel Wellman, 29, was last seen at 6 p.m. at the Rainier School in Buckley.

Wellman suffers from mental health issues and a developmental delay, deputies said.

Officials said officers found Wellman’s sweatshirt on a logging road located 1.5 miles east of Ryan Road, but the search for him was suspended Friday due to strong wind.

On Saturday, searchers continued to look for Wellman, search the woods throughout the day but he was not found. The search will resume Sunday.

Wellman is described as white, 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 225 pounds. He also has brown hair and green eyes.

Wellman was wearing a green shirt, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes.

Wellman reportedly can be aggressive towards people and will throw rocks and may run or hide from searchers.

Anyone who sees Wellman is asked to call 911 or the Sheriff’s Department.

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