UPDATE (11:22 a.m., Sept. 5):
An interim complaint obtained by KGUN 9 sheds light on why the son of a vulnerable adult who went missing in late August, was arrested.
On Aug. 29, the wife of Vamsi Potiny called the Pima County Sheriff's Department to report that her father-in-law, Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny, was missing.
Vamsi told deputies that the last time his father was seen, was leaving their home at 11:50 a.m.
Vamsi said at the time that his father took medication due to being diabetic; that he didn't speak English and that he had memory problems, the complaint said.
PCSD began its search and continued to look for Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny through the weekend and following week.
On Wednesday, detectives working the case got information that Vamsi had told a family member he had driven his father up to Mt. Lemmon on August 29 and left him there.
Vamsi was called into PCSD's main station for an interview.
During the interview, he admitted to detectives that he was mad at his father and drove him up to Mt. Lemmon, to an observation area that had a bathroom near Ski Valley, the complaint said.
Vamsi left his father at the location with food, water and a sign/written note that "said something to the effect of 'help me,'" with a phone number, the complaint said.
Vamsi admitted he lied about the circumstances around his father's disappearance when the initial call was made to 911.
Vamsi waited five days to come forward with the new story, where he abandoned his father due to being mad at him, the complaint said.
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The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) Homicide Unit has arrested Vamsi Potiny, 42, for vulnerable adult abuse and endangerment, in connection to a missing person case on Aug. 29.
Vamsi's father, Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny, 72, was reported missing on Aug. 29. PCSD is still searching for him. They arrested Vamsi after detectives found evidence during the current investigation that led to his arrest.
"At this stage of the investigation, Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny is still considered a missing vulnerable adult," PCSD said in a statement.
Sitharamanjaneyulu was last seen in the area of the 6000 block of W. Jadewood Lane, wearing a blue shirt and blue pants. PCSD says new information suggests that he may have been near the Mt. Lemmon Trailhead area.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to call 9-1-1.
