LATE NIGHT SEARCH IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES RESULTS IN SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF MISSING ELDERLY FEMALE WITH DEMENTIA

On January 23, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM, Tom Green County Sheriff's Office Patrol Deputies were dispatched to the north side of Grape Creek on report of a missing elderly female.  It was learned a 66-year-old female with Dementia had left the residence on foot sometime earlier and the caller had been looking for her for an hour.  It was reported she was last seen wearing a bath robe, house shoes, and was carrying a small Chihuahua named Penny.  Deputies arrived and a lengthy and intensive search began.  Initially, the San Angelo Police Department Drone Team arrived to assist, but the female was not located at that time.  As the temperature dropped to below freezing, the Sheriff's Office added further resources into the search.  The local US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine office was contacted, and they quickly tasked an asset to assist.  At 1:32 AM, the air asset located the female and guided Deputies to her location.  She had fallen at some point and was complaining of pain and being very cold.  As Deputies were awaiting an ambulance to arrive, the female was given water and a snack while she waited inside a warm patrol vehicle.  The female then began asking about her dog Penny and said she should be close.  Another search was quickly initiated and shortly after, Penny was located, shivering and awaiting rescue.  The Deputy quickly bundled Penny up and delivered her back to the female so a reunion could occur.  The female was then transported to the hospital for further care and Penny was taken home. 

We would like to the thank the San Angelo Police Department, San Angelo Fire Department, and the US Customs and Border Protection for their assistance in making sure this incident had a happy ending!