Lake County police dog, deputy praised for finding missing woman

A Lake County sheriff's police dog and his handler are being praised for finding a missing and endangered woman early Saturday as she was suffering from the initial stages of hypothermia.

Deputy John Forlenza and Dax were called to help track the 51-year-old Volo woman after she was reported missing about 11:20 p.m. Friday. Authorities said she was in a severe mental crisis and had been arguing with a family member while in a vehicle. She got out of the vehicle and when she didn't return, her family became concerned and contacted the sheriff's office.

After about two hours of searching, the woman was found sleeping outside, next to a business on the 31600 block of North Route 12 in Lakemoor, sheriff's police said. The temperature at the time was approximately 37 degrees and she was wearing only a sweatshirt, lightweight pants and shoes.

The woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, authorities said.

"With the delay in reporting and initial uncertainty of the path taken by the female, this tracked proved to be extremely difficult - but that certainly didn't stop Deputy Forlenza and K9 Dax," Sheriff John Idleburg said. "I have no doubt, if our K9 Team didn't locate this person, it is likely hypothermia would've set-in, which could have resulted in her death."