Sherry Noppe of Katy, Texas, went missing last Tuesday while walking her black lab, Max.
Days after the 63-year-old’s disappearance, volunteers searching for Noppe heard Max barking in the woods at around 3 a.m. Friday and were able to locate her in George Bush Park, said a tweet from Constable Ted Heap of Harris County Texas precinct 5. By Mother’s Day, she was able to see her children.
“We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts,” said her son, Justin Noppe during a news conference. “It’s been a blessing for us to bring our mother home on Mother’s Day, this weekend is going to be very special for us.”
Around 9,000 accounts are part of the “Find Sherry” Facebook group set up to help the search on Facebook.
Although Noppe was recently diagnosed with dementia, according to KHOU, she was familiar with the park’s trails, which are located near her home.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were an estimated 5 million adults over age 65 with dementia in 2014, and that number is expected to increase to 14 million by 2060. Dementia symptoms can begin in patients as young as 30, according to the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
“It is estimated up to 70% of persons with [Alzheimer’s disease or dementia] wander away from their caregivers or care settings at some point in the illness,” said an International Association of Chiefs of Police report from 2011.
In Illinois, the Silver Search legislation as passed in 2019 “to bring to light the increasing incidences of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia that get lost and ways in which the public can help law enforcement return them home safely.”
Texas EquuSearch, a non-profit organization, helped find Noppe in Harris County. Deputies and volunteers searched the 2,700-acre park for days. When she was found around 50 to 100 yards into the woods, she seemed lost, but not severely disoriented, said Michael England, who grew up with Noppe’s children.
Authorities believe she stayed in the same location most of the time that she was missing. Noppe was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Katy for an evaluation after volunteers discovered her.
“She’s doing surprisingly well for how long she’s been out there,” said Noppe’s daughter Courtney.
“It’s a small miracle that she's alive after being missing for so long,” said Heap.
According to Justin Noppe, his mother’s black lab – which initially belonged to her late son – could be why she survived so well in hot, rainy conditions.
“With Max, that dog had no leash, no collar, and stayed by her side for three days,” he said. “And that just shows you the loyalty the dog has.”
Max was evaluated by a veterinarian and seemed happy to be home in a post shared to social media.
Related
Related
