HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) – A K-9 from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office helped deputies locate a missing woman in Thonotosassa on Sunday, May 15.
Reports said shortly after 11:00 a.m. deputies were called to a house in the 11000 block of Bonnet Hole Drive in reference to a missing and endangered person. They learned that a woman in her 60s with dementia had left her home in the afternoon of May 142022, and had not been seen since.
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HCSO deputies circulated the area, conducting a neighborhood survey, and HCSO K-9 and Aviation units quickly responded to assist in the search.
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While scouring a wooded area in front of the house, HCSO K-9 Toby, who is a bloodhound, and his handler, Deputy Craig Lariz, located the missing woman about 250 feet south of her house. Along with MPs providing her with water and transporting her to safety, HCSO Aviation airlifted the woman to nearby Heritage Elementary School, where she was met by paramedics and received care before being transported to a local hospital due to severe dehydration.
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“There is nothing worse than the terror a person feels when their loved one goes missing. With the hot temperatures outside and the remote area where this woman had fallen, a very scary outcome was averted thanks to the diligent work by our deputies,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “I encourage others to use this as a reminder to call 911 immediately if someone in your care goes missing. For those caring for a loved one with special needs, a SafetyNet tracking bracelet could be a lifesaving tool.
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