Missing 80-Year Old Woman Located in Aloha

Police located the woman today in Aloha.

80-year old Mary Jane Carlson, reported missing Sunday evening from the King City area, has been found and is safe.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Washington County Sheriff's Office says 80-year old Mary Jane Carlson was located by a citizen who saw a news broadcast requesting help in finding her. Police had been searching for the King City area woman after her son reported her missing.

Investigators say they were contacted by the woman's son Sunday evening at 8:49 PM, reporting that she was missing from her King City home.

Police say that at about 5:00 AM this morning, Tom Burnham from Fox Towing was dispatched to tow a vehicle out of a ditch in Newberg. Burnham arrived around 10:00 AM and found Ms. Carlson's vehicle where it had failed to negotiate a corner and was completely off the roadway.

Ms. Carlson was with her car and seemed confused as to where she was and how she would find her way home. Burnham towed the car out of the ditch and begins questioning Ms. Carlson as to where she was going and if she knew where she was.

When Ms. Carlson said she was trying to get to King City, Mr. Burnham realized she was the missing person he saw on a newscast earlier that morning. He said he remembered the license plate began with a "V" and that she was from King City. At 5:37 AM, the Newberg Police Department was called.

Ms. Carlson did receive minor scratches and bruising from the crash and was treated and released from Providence Newberg Medical Center. Her family was immediately contacted and picked her up at the hospital. It is unclear exactly how long Ms. Carlson was missing or where she was during that time. She was missing anywhere from 10 hours to 34 hours.

"The Washington County Sheriff's Office would like to commend the media for broadcasting the missing person information quickly and efficiently to obtain the public's help in bringing Ms. Carlson home safely. We would also commend Mr. Burnham for making the connection between the newscast and what would have normally been a routine motorist assist. By being an alert concerned citizen he was able to help someone in need possibly saving her life."

A spokesman says this is a great example of the Washington County Sheriff's Office working in partnership with the media, other law enforcement agencies, and all the citizens it serves to help those in need.