Eustis father of 13 missing from west Kissimmee rental since Thursday; Sheriff, family seeking public's help

The situation is getting dire for a family who visited the Kissimmee area for Thanksgiving, and has been missing its father since Thursday.

Herman McClenton, 73, part of a family visiting from Eustis, reportedly went for a walk from the home in Secret Key Cove in the Emerald Island Resort, on the west side of Osceola County just west of State Road 429. McClenton, who officials say suffers from dementia,  has been missing since.

Sheriff Marcos Lopez said Saturday video footage from nearby subdivisions showed him walking behind houses, moving quickly. 

McClenton is 6'1" tall and weights 197 pounds. He was reported missing around 4 p.m. on Thursday. He was last seen wearing a red hat with a religious quote, a plaid shirt, jeans and black shoes. 

"We do not suspect foul play or kidnapping," Lopez said. "We've issued BOLOs (Be on the Lookout) to adjacent counties, hospitals, the bus service. Now we're turning to the public to help us out.

"We're using a national computer-aided system that helps us in doing our grid search, it shows us what areas we have searched to make sure it’s a thorough search. We’ve exhausted many avenues of where he might be."

Lopez also noted Sheriff's deputies have "covered quite a bit of ground," in the area with its aviation unit and drones.

McClenton's family said he's the father of 13 children and a pastor.

"It's like if anybody else's father was missing. We just want him home," said daughter Beverly Porter.

Another daughter, Clara McClenton, said he might have tried to head back home to Eustis.

"This is the longest he's been away from family," she said. "We just don't know."

Anyone who may come in contact with Mr. McClenton, or thinks they do, is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at 321-348-2222, or call 911, and reference Case No. 22I-1126351.