California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, is asking for the public’s help to identify a man who has been receiving medical care for several days with no known name, records, or personal information.
The man was brought to the hospital on Saturday after he was found on the 1700 block of West 80th Street in the Manchester Square neighborhood of South L.A. When he arrived, he had no identification or belongings, leaving hospital staff unable to contact family or access his medical history.
According to KTLA, hospital officials say the patient has been under their care since Nov. 22, 2025, and all attempts to determine who he is have been unsuccessful. According to a release from Dignity Health, the man had “no documentation or evidence of his identity with him,” prompting the hospital to turn to the public for help. Medical staff say he has remained stable, but the inability to verify who he is creates serious challenges for his treatment and long-term care decisions.
The patient is described as an African American man believed to be in his mid- to late-60s, with brown eyes, a shaved head, and a black-and-gray beard. He is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 162 pounds. Without identification, doctors cannot determine whether he has underlying conditions, prior surgeries, or medication allergies, all of which are critical to providing safe and accurate care.
Incidents like this are far more common than most people realize. Hospitals across the United States treat thousands of unidentified patients every year—people who arrive unconscious, injured, disoriented, or unable to speak for themselves. Large medical centers in major cities may see dozens of such cases each month, with national estimates suggesting that between 20,000 and 40,000 unidentified patients come through emergency rooms annually.
Many of these patients are experiencing homelessness, suffering from dementia, or are victims of accidents, robberies, or medical emergencies that leave them without ID. Others have had their belongings stolen or simply never carried identification to begin with. When a patient cannot be identified, hospitals face delays in treatment, challenges in decision-making, and the emotional weight of not being able to notify loved ones who may be searching for them.
California Hospital Medical Center hopes someone in the community will recognize the man currently in their care. Anyone with information is urged to call 213-605-1336 and speak with Dignity Health staff assisting with the case.
SOURCE: blacknews.com