Police Dog Helps Find Unconscious Woman In Freezing Temps In Lake Co.

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Lake County Sheriff's Office K9 police dog is being credited with finding and saving a woman who was reported missing and later found unconscious in a wooded area on Sunday night.

The woman walked away from her home near Mundelein at about 6 p.m. and was not wearing proper clothing for the weather, according to authorities. Police say the woman was in mental distress and did not bring her cell phone or any belongings.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy John Forlenza and his canine partner, Dax, responded to the scene and began tracking the woman from her home, according to a news release from the sherif's office. They found her about 500 feet from her home in a wooded area, about 75 feet from a nearby walking path.

She was unconscious and likely suffering from hypothermia. On Sunday evening, temps dropped to 30 degrees, and the wind chill was listed at 22 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The woman was taken to an area hospital and is expected to recover. Foul play is not suspected.

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said he continues to be impressed with the success of the officer's canine teams. Idleburg, who was recently re-elected as sheriff, added six police dogs to the sheriff's office during his first term, according to media reports.

“They save lives every year, which is exactly why we increased the number of canines in our agency," he said. "I am very proud of all of my staff who worked together to save this young woman’s life.”