Hillsborough County deputies carry elderly missing woman from swampy woods

Video shows the moment deputies found a missing elderly woman wandering in the woods early Saturday morning.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said units responded to reports of a missing woman with Alzheimer's who had wandered off on foot in a Tampa neighborhood on Reynoldswood Drive.

At around 2 a.m., the sheriff's office said its aviation unit responded, and by using infrared cameras, found the woman in a wooded area east of her home.

Body cam video shows the moment deputies found the missing elderly woman in a swampy wooded area.

"Hey ma'am, come," the deputy said. "Come here. Come to me."

Arriving deputies can be seen guiding the woman, trying to convince her to leave the woods. When the woman didn't respond to English, deputies switched to Spanish.

"Ven, ven, ven," the deputy said. "Sigue, vamos, vamos."

Once the woman understood what was happening. A deputy was able to pick up the woman — who was missing a shoe— and carry her through the water. The sheriff's office said the elderly woman was unharmed from the experience.

"I am beyond thankful and relieved we were able to locate and rescue this missing woman quickly," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This incident highlights our specialized units and technology's critical role in ensuring the safety of our community. Our team's dedication to service and swift response made all the difference in bringing her home safely."