ANDERSON, Ind. — An Alexandria man who was the subject of a Silver Alert Wednesday night has been identified as the victim found on railroad tracks in Anderson the same day.
A statewide Silver Alert was declared around 9 p.m. Wednesday for 64-year-old Barry Baker, who was reportedly last seen at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in Anderson.
The alert was canceled later Wednesday, but no reason for the cancellation was given.
Baker's son, Shawn, told our partners at the Herald Bulletin that his father was struck and killed by a train in Anderson Wednesday, a day after he was released from jail.
Shawn Baker told the newspaper his father suffered from dementia and that he had notified the Madison County Jail of the condition while his father was detained. He said Barry Baker was released Tuesday without notification of his family.
The Madison County coroner confirmed Baker was the victim of the train crash.
Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police.
