JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Westside nursing home employee was the one to spot the missing 70-year-old woman after the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office searched for nearly two days.
Mary Richardson, who has dementia, was reported safe Thursday night after officers said she wandered away from the Cedar Hill Nursing and Rehab Center on Tuesday night.
Sgt. Michael Monts said it can become “very stressful” when someone goes missing.
RELATED: 174 of 175 found: First responders work together to find missing endangered people faster
The Missing Endangered Persons Search and Rescue (MEPSAR) unit is a dedicated team of JSO officers and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue members who specialize in finding people in danger.
Richardson was found 3.9 miles from the nursing home.
“Got away just on foot, wandering around,” Monts said.
An employee of the Westside nursing home she left from, spotted her.
“She actually worked at the facility. She saw the woman around 8:35 p.m.,” Monts said. “We responded and were able to recover the victim safely.”
Monts said MEPSAR is at 191 out of 192 recoveries.
“That just says the success is our system. It works. It’s one of the best in the county,” Monts said.
In situations where someone disappears or wanders off, it’s important to fill out REVAMP or Registry for Endangered, Vulnerable and Missing Persons.
It’s a free program that records important information that could help officers save a lot of time when looking for their loved ones.
https://connectduval.org/