Bethea was last seen in rural Milton, North Carolina on July 23, 2007. He left Corbett's Family Care Home and walked into the woods with another resident. The other person returned, but Bethea has never been heard from again. He was last seen walking down Hudson Road toward N.C. 62 north at approximately 12.00pm. Tracker dogs were unable to pick up his scent anywhere. Bethea has lived in Corbett's Family Care Home for only ten days before his disappearance. He had previously resided at the D & H Family Care Home for about six months, but was expelled after being caught smoking a cigarette in his room, in violation of the rules. He was unhappy about having to move to a new home and complained to his mother about his life before he disappeared. Bethea's family does not believe he left of his own accord and they think he was injured, possibly accidently, after his disappearance. (Information retrieved from NamUs.gov)