(York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office)
It was the kind of news that brought relief to many, but few truly expected. A 61-year-old woman with early-onset dementia, who had gone missing in the harsh winter conditions on Monday night, was found safe after more than 12 hours of searching.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office reported that Shimell Woodard was located just before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, after leaving the Grande Oak Senior Housing complex at 6306 Old Mooretown Road. When she was last seen, she was wearing a red T-shirt, jeans, and dark shoes.
Conditions that night had been tough, with snow falling and temperatures dropping to 27 degrees. The sheriff’s office said Woodard’s disappearance was a serious concern due to the risk it posed to her safety. In response, authorities launched a search operation involving both search dogs and drones. The search centered around the Lightfoot Road area, close to the Antiques Mall, as per reports WAVY.
Around midday Tuesday, Woodard was found near a walking path, roughly a quarter-mile from her apartment. She showed signs of hypothermia, a serious health threat given the freezing temperatures. Emergency responders were quick to treat her, and she was transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.
The sheriff’s office, recognizing the importance of ensuring Woodard’s safety moving forward, announced that they were working alongside Adult Protective Services to explore additional measures that could help protect her in the future.
This was not the first time Woodard had been reported missing. Just over a week earlier, on Sunday, November 30, she had also gone missing under similar circumstances. That time, the sheriff’s office alerted the public, but she was found safe after just a few hours.
The two incidents have highlighted the unique challenges posed by dementia, particularly when someone with the condition becomes disoriented or confused in unfamiliar or harsh conditions. The sheriff’s office is continuing to work with relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to prevent future occurrences.
The quick response by local authorities and the fortunate outcome of this search have been a source of relief for Woodard’s family, the community, and those involved in the search efforts. The importance of coordinating such efforts in situations involving vulnerable individuals, especially during extreme weather, has never been clearer.
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