Missing Rutherford County woman with dementia found safely

Jan 13, 2021 at 01:19 pm by Lisa Marchesoni


A missing Rutherford County woman with dementia was found unharmed this morning in Wilson County, a sheriff’s supervisor said.

Deborah Alsup, 67, was reported missing about 9 p.m. Tuesday. A silver alert was issued.

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers searched from their helicopter, Sheriff’s K-9s tracked her on the ground while deputies searched the Walter Hill area. Rutherford County Fire Rescue firefighters used their drone. The search continued until 5 a.m. today.

Sgt. Richard Pedigo said deputies resumed the search this morning.

Wilson County law enforcement officers reported Alsup was found safely in Lebanon.

A 73-year-old Wilson County man found her on Lebanon Highway, picked her up and rode around with her trying to find her home.

“She was unable to give a correct location,” Pedigo said. “He took her home with her and let her sleep. He fixed her breakfast and turned on the news and saw she was reported missing.”

He called Wilson County deputies who took the woman to the Dollar General near the county line. Wilson County Emergency Medical Services paramedics checked her.

Deputy Chris Beach and Deputy Ben Baldwin responded to the scene and notified family members who picked her up.

“She’s fine,” Beach said.

The Sheriff's Office thanks the media for their help in locating Alsup.

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