2 Missing, Endangered Locals Rescued By Somerset County Sheriff

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ --Two missing and endangered individuals were located on the same night thanks to the efforts of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver Task Force, Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano announced.

On Oct. 30, a Somerville resident – a Project Lifesaver client who suffers from dementia – wandered off from his home in the evening hours.

Taskforce operators already were responding to help the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office team locate a client, who suffers from autism and who went missing in Franklin Township, when they also were deployed to Somerville, according to Provenzano.

Under the command of Sheriff's Office Capt. Mark Szczecina, a search began using specialized locating equipment and officers deployed and spread out across both towns. During the search, they were able to detect the missing clients’ unique tracking signals.

In under an hour, the officers were able to locate both clients.

The Somerset County local was found about a quarter mile from his home and the Middlesex County local was found about three-quarters of a mile from his home.

The Middlesex County local received medical treatment at the scene for minor injuries, while the Somerset County local was returned to his home in good condition and unharmed, according to the report.

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office has participated in the Project Lifesaver program since 2003.

“This is a fine example of the value of the Project Lifesaver program,” said Provenzano. “It is an outstanding resource for families in Somerset County to utilize for at-risk adults and juveniles. Our Project Lifesaver team of officers are trained and dedicated to providing the best service to our citizens 365 days a year.”

Project Lifesaver is a Somerset County bracelet emergency-locating program for residents who suffer from types of dementia, autism, and other disabilities that put them at risk of wandering.

The program is a partnership of the Sheriff's Office, Office on Aging & Disability Services, and the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Families interested in the Project Lifesaver program may contact the Office on Aging and Disability Services at 1-888-747-1122 for more information.

(Image via Shutterstock)