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FLORENCE-On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at around 5:00am, we were advised that an elderly patient with a medical emergency walked away from her home in the Forest Hills subdivision. The family went to check on her and they discovered she was no longer in her residence. The family said they last saw their family member at 9:00pm the night before. The family placed an emergency call, and officers arrived on scene within 4 minutes to begin the search. Due to the below freezing temperatures and the victim’s medical emergency, the on-scene supervisor requested the K-9 Unit and Drone Operators to assist in the search.
Officers began a search of the area on foot with K-9 assistance, and by air with a thermal drone. Within 30 minutes, Officer
B. Letsinger and K-9 Jett located the elderly female behind a residence in the neighborhood. First responders provided on scene care. The female was then transported to a local hospital for further care by Lifeguard EMS. Officers were able to locate a nearby camera that revealed the female left her residence around 11:00pm.
B. Letsinger and K-9 Jett located the elderly female behind a residence in the neighborhood. First responders provided on scene care. The female was then transported to a local hospital for further care by Lifeguard EMS. Officers were able to locate a nearby camera that revealed the female left her residence around 11:00pm.The positive conclusion to this event is a direct result of the training and teamwork of everyone involved.
The Florence Police Department participates in Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is a program designed to protect and quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. If you have a loved one at risk, you can contact Detective Gina Butler at gbutler@florenceal.org or 256-760-6583 to sign up for the program. You can get additional information about Project Lifesaver at projectlifesaver.org.
Timeline of events:
9:00 p.m. The Victim was last seen.
11:00 p.m. A neighbor’s security camera captures the female.
5:00 a.m. Emergency Services are notified.
5:04 a.m. Florence Police are on scene.
5:35 a.m. K9 and drones on scene.
6:08 a.m. The victim is located by the K9 team, and medical care is provided.
Media Release/Florence Alabama Police Department
