Missing Grandma, Grandson Wandered the Valley Until They Ran Out of Gas

An 80-year-old woman and her developmentally disabled adult grandson—both missing since they set out for a Special Olympics practice session on Saturday—were found safe and sound by patrol officers in Studio City early Monday and reunited with their family, police said.

Barbara Berlin and her grandson Justin, 21, were last seen Saturday afternoon in a maroon Nissan Sentra leaving Plummer and De Soto in Chatsworth, according to Karen Marlow, the daughter of Barbara Berlin.

Daughter-in-law Jodl Locke Berlin told CBSlocal.com that they were wandering and ran out of gas.

Officers spotted the pair in their car at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Riverside Drive just after midnight, said Lt. Andy Neiman, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman. The two were reunited with their family a short time later.

"It appears she lost her way and was driving around the last day and a
half,'' Neiman said.

Barbara Berlin and her grandson left her home in the 19000 block of Gledhill Street in Northridge on Saturday, said LAPD Officer Cleon Joseph.

"They were going to a Special Olympics baseball practice at Balboa Park'' in the Lake Balboa neighborhood adjoining Van Nuys, Joseph said.

Police said Justin Berlin has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old, and his grandmother recently has started showing signs of dementia. The two never made it to the practice, police said.

City News Service contributed to this report.