December 18th, 2023 by WCBC Radio
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 7:39 am, Frostburg City Police responded to High St. for a report of a missing 82-year-old woman with dementia. Police learned that sometime between 5:00 am and the 7:39am call to police, the woman had left the residence on foot and that her whereabouts were unknown. The family believed she was only physically capable of walking the length of two or three houses and that she could have entered an unlocked house, car, or shed. Officers from the Frostburg City Police Department, Frostburg State University Police Department, and members of the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services EMS division, along with family members of the woman, conducted vehicle and foot patrols of the immediate area. When it became apparent she would not be located outside in the immediate vicinity, police contacted Mountain Maryland Search & Rescue and requested a K-9 track and personnel and equipment. In addition, members of the Frostburg Fire Department arrived on scene and established a command post.
As the woman was not located via neighborhood checks, more first responders arrived, including the Maryland State Police Trooper 5 helicopter and numerous fire and EMS units. Near 2:00 pm, a Frostburg City Police Officer at the scene was notified that the woman had been located in a house near where she went missing. She was found by a Frostburg citizen, Barbara George, who went to the neighbor's house to check because there was an unrelated woman living there who also had cognitive problems. When Ms. George checked at the property, she found the woman who lived there, and she also found the missing woman, both sitting in the house. Both women had problems with their cognitive abilities and, as a result, neither recognized any concern with the missing woman sitting in the house. The woman was checked by EMS and required no treatment.
Police agencies assisting Frostburg City Police in the search were Frostburg State University Police, Cumberland City Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, and Maryland State Police. The Frostburg City Police Department thanks all of the First Responders and private citizens who came out to assist. The fire departments assisting included the Frostburg Fire Department, Shaft Fire Department, Midland Fire Dept., Barton , Lonaconing, LaVale, Mt. Savage, Eastern Garrett, Grantsville, District 16, Westernport, Cresaptown, Bowman's Addition, Ellerslie, Corriganville, Wiley Ford, Wellersburg, and Meyersdale. In addition, extensive resources were provided by the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and special operations teams.
Frostburg City Police Chief Nicholas Costello said, "When we have an incident that requires additional resources, it is comforting to see so many people come out to help so quickly. I truly appreciate all of the work by area first responders, emergency service agencies, volunteers, and private individuals who came out to help. It really shows that we have a community that cares. I especially appreciate Barbara George who knows and cares for the neighborhood, went above-and-beyond to help, and found the missing woman."
