60-Year-Old Man Last Seen in San Clemente Mistakenly Identified By Authorities, Daughter Says

SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA) - Scott Karsten, a 60-year-old man from San Clemente, was on his way back from a run to Circle K before going missing.

It's been almost a month since Karsten was last seen and his family told CBSLA Reporter Sara Donchey that it lost precious time due to a mix-up by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Tracy Lee, Karsten's daughter, said her father was last seen on Oct. 24 near the Walmart on Avenida Pico in San Clemente.

After reporting him missing on Oct. 29, Karsten's identity was compromised when the Sheriff's department posted a photo of a different man in its original missing person report.

"People were calling going that's not your dad that's not Scott what's going on," Lee said.

Lee said she spent the next three weeks trying to get a hold of authorities. She's not sure how the detectives ended up with the photo they posted but thinks the man in the photo may be one of her father's associates.

The department released a revised report on Thursday, which contains an accurate photo of Karsten.

"How can we find my dad if people are looking for the wrong person. It was very frustrating and very upsetting and I didn't know what to do," Lee said.

Lee said that Karsten suffered severe a brain injury a few years ago that leaves him confused. Karsten and Lee communicate frequently, but this has never happened before.

"He is super responsible and he talks to us every day you know and he doesn't disappear. It's really very strange," Lee said. "We've lost so much time that was so important in the beginning and now we have to try to make up for it."

The family is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who can help it track down Karsten. Anyone with information can reach Lee at 925 727 5537, or Tkl.karstenteam@gmail.com or contact the Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011.