Mentally Ill Woman Last Seen Exiting Taxi In Mid-City Area Found Safe

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A mentally ill woman last seen exiting a taxi in the Mid-City area has been found safe, her family says.

Kasey Lucious, 38, was reported missing after she was last seen exiting a taxi near Crenshaw Nursing Home in the Mid-City area on Wednesday.

Her family told CBS2 and KCAL9 that Lucious was taken to County USC Medical Hospital and ultimately someone recognized her as the missing woman.

Lucious' sister Jennifer Lujan, who was leading the search party on Saturday night, said they were focusing on the Mid-City area after receiving a tip that Lucious was spotted near the corner of Washington Blvd. and Vineyard Ave.

Lucious' family had been critical of Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley for sending Lucious 17 miles in a cab, rather than an ambulance, to the nursing home.

Lujan told KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner Sunday evening her sister doesn't remember getting out of the cab.

Kastner spoke to Lujan several hours after she and her sister shared a happy reunion.

"She was happy to see me. She was like hey where you been?," said Lujan, "I've been looking for you. And, of course, I broke down crying cause I told her I was looking for her too."

She said her sister is dehydrated and confused.

All she remembers is "just walking the street, sitting and sleeping," Lujan said.

The sister told Kastner she was just glad the story had a happy ending.

"I just can't stop praising God for looking over her and protecting her and keeping her safe," Lujan said.

Lucious will likely spend the next few days at the hospital while being monitored by doctors before she gets to go back home.