If a ward has disappeared suddenly, the disappearance should be reported to the police. If the ward has been missing a long time, a report may not be necessary. Consult your counsel regarding the choices that are best for your situation. Methods of finding the ward include the following: checking police and hospital records, checking with the District of Columbia’s Homeless Outreach Services, homeless shelter rolls, churches and other charitable organizations aiding the poor, Social Security and Medicaid records, bank records, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Vital Records, morgues, the prisoner locator service, the ward’s family and friends, the internet, and search firms that specialize in searches for missing persons.