New details regarding Tucson man charged for abandoning father on Mt Lemmon | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – New details have emerged regarding the arrest of Vamsi Potiny, who faces charges of endangerment and vulnerable adult abuse.

According to an interim complaint, Vamsi Potiny’s wife contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department on August 29, 2025, to report that her father-in-law, 72-year-old Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny, was missing from their residence.

Vamsi Potiny told deputies that his father was last seen on video leaving their home on foot. Potiny said his father takes medication for diabetes, does not speak English, and has memory problems.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department deployed multiple resources in an attempt to locate the missing man, including activating a Silver Alert.

On September 3, 2025, detectives received information that Vamsi Potiny had told a family member he drove his father to Mount Lemmon on August 29 and left him there.

Detectives interviewed Potiny at the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Potiny admitted he was mad at his father and drove him to an observation area near Ski Valley, leaving him with food, water, and a note saying “Help me” along with a phone number.

Potiny confessed to intentionally lying about the circumstances surrounding his father’s disappearance when he initially reported it on August 29, 2025.

He waited over five days to disclose the truth about abandoning his father.

Vamsi Potiny was issued a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 15 for a preliminary hearing.

Sitharamanjaneyulu Potiny has not been located, and his status remains unknown.

He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and pants near Valencia and Ajo Way and may now be near the Mount Lemmon trailhead area.

He is described as 5 foot and 3 inches tall, 160 pounds, has gray hair, and black eyes. 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.