Law enforcement scaling back search for 62-year-old man
UPDATE:
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says that Charles Baldridge’s body has been found in Obion County.
EARLIER STORY:
OBION COUNTY, Tenn. — There is an update as the Obion County Sheriff’s Office attempts to bring closure to a family after searching for a West Tennessee man who went missing nearly a month ago.
The family of Charles Baldridge met with the Obion County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.
Multiple search efforts occurred by helicopter, underwater, and on foot with no success in the search for the 62-year-old man from Troy.
One main goal on Wednesday was to show the family and the public the areas that were searched on a map.
The map pinpointed the main crash site and areas from behind that location to the mouth of the Obion River.
The search consisted of six miles of creek, ditch, and river that was covered by GPS.
Baldridge was reported missing on January 9 after failing to report to work, a place at which he was employed for nearly 40 years.
Family members say they knew something was wrong because he was a creature of habit.
“Monday through Thursday he was at work. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday he was with mom,” said Robin Todd, the sister of Baldridge.
On January 27, heavy rains brought floods to the area and Baldrige’s vehicle was found in a ditch at the intersection of Highway 51 and Walker Tanner Road.
On January 28, Union City Fire and Police Department and Obion County Sheriff and Rescue Squads searched the area with no success.
“Even though we’ve scaled back tremendously, we are not done searching for Mr. Baldridge,” said Lt. Joe Key, with the Obion County Sheriff’s Office.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were called in over the next week to aid in the search but remained unsuccessful.
“I think it’s been a tremendous effort by everyone, and I don’t see what else we could have done,” Key said.
Law enforcement sends word to surrounding areas to be aware of how far Baldridge may have traveled.
“What we want to get out today is to try to push this out towards farther down the Obion River. The possibility of him making it towards the Mississippi River, and just to get this broadcast out further down that way,” Key said.
As for now, the family says they are struggling to move on.
“We just appreciate everybody’s help. All the different resources that y’all have used. It’s very difficult for our family,” Todd said.
The family asks any fishermen or hunters in the area to keep an eye out and if you do happen to find something, call the Obion County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Deputy Matt Woods expressed gratitude to the multiple agencies that were brought in with additional resources to aid in the search.
Woods also shared thanks to community members and local businesses who donated their time, equipment, and food to law enforcement during the search.
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