Officials searching for woman, 61, last seen leaving hospital

KINGWOOD, TX (KTRK) -- Officials are searching for a 61-year-old woman who disappeared last month from a hospital.

Melba Sue Lyons was last seen the night of June 12. Her relatives say the grandmother was transported from her Shepherd home by ambulance to Kingwood Medical Center. But hours later, she was gone.

Lyons' son, Christopher Stephens, tells Eyewitness News hospital his mother was left unsupervised, which allowed her to slip out of the hospital. Stephens said two security guards showed him surveillance video of his mother exiting a side door and running across the hospital parking lot.

"She ran off with no shoes on across this parking lot. It shows on video tape," said Stephens.

ABC13 requested that surveillance video, but a spokesperson for Kingwood Medical Center declined to release it, saying "its contents contain protected health information under federal and state privacy laws."

Meanwhile, Houston Police Department has released a missing persons flier. Lyons, who will also answer to the name Melba Sue Lowrence, is 5'4", 120 pounds, with green eyes and light brown hair. She also has a tattoo on her back and a scar on her right leg.

"We haven't heard anything from her," said Stephens. "She had her cell phone and charger with her."

Lyons' son fears his mother could be in danger because she has a heart condition, but doesn't have any medication or money with her.

A spokesperson for Kingwood Medical Center sent us the following statement in response to our questions:

"We are currently conducting an internal review which is ongoing. We are empathetic for the family, but, unfortunately, we do not have permission from the patient to discuss the facts. The well-being of our patients and their families is always a top priority."

If you have any information about Melba Sue Lyons' whereabouts, call the Houston Police Department Missing Persons Division at 713-731-5223.