Vulnerable adult found safe after going missing from treatment facility

Zuya Armstrong, a 19-year-old with mental disabilities, was located after a brief search in West Fargo.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:31am

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A 19-year-old man with mental disabilities that impair his ability to speak was reported missing from a residential treatment facility in West Fargo, North Dakota on Tuesday night. Authorities issued an alert, and the man was found safe a few hours later.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges of caring for vulnerable adults with mental health conditions, and the importance of having robust safety protocols and response plans in place at treatment facilities to quickly locate missing residents.

The details

Zuya Armstrong went missing from the Hope Haven treatment facility around 10 PM on Tuesday. A Cass Clay Alert was sent to nearby residents around 1:10 AM on Wednesday morning, stating that Armstrong had mental disabilities that affected his ability to communicate. The alert was canceled about 3 hours later after Armstrong was found safe.

  • Armstrong went missing around 10 PM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • The Cass Clay Alert was issued around 1:10 AM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
  • Armstrong was found safe a few hours later, by around 4 AM on January 28, 2026.

The players

Zuya Armstrong

A 19-year-old resident of the Hope Haven treatment facility who has mental disabilities that impair his ability to speak.

Hope Haven

A residential treatment facility located in West Fargo, North Dakota that provides care for vulnerable adults.

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What’s next

The treatment facility will likely review its safety protocols and response procedures to identify any areas for improvement to prevent future incidents of residents going missing.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust safety measures and quick response times at treatment facilities caring for vulnerable adults with mental health conditions, in order to ensure their wellbeing and quickly locate them if they go missing.