Missing Elderly Woman Found Safe: Austin PD (Updated)

UPDATE: Police late Friday said an elderly woman who had been reported missing earlier in the day was ultimately found safe.

Dorothy Belcker, 88, drove from a residence along the 2200 block of Palo Pinto Drive on Friday afternoon and hadn't been heard from when police first issued an alert later that evening. By close to midnight on Friday, police updated to say the woman was found safe.

"Mrs. Belcher was located safe in Washington County ,and has been reunited with her son," police said in a press advisory issued at 11:58 p.m.

Washington County is an area of about 34,000 people with the county seat of Brenham, Texas, some 90 miles east of Austin.

From earlier:

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police are seeking help from the public in locating a missing elderly woman in East Austin on Friday.

According to a police press advisory, Dorothy Belcher, 88, was last seen driving away from a residence along the 2200 block of Palo Pinto Drive at around 4:45 p.m. The woman has not been seen since, police said.

Belcher is a black woman standing at five feet, two inches in height and weighing 140 pounds. She has brown eyes and short alt-and-pepper hair. She was last seen driving a 2009 Toyota Camry, Gold, Texas License Plates FMX3682. Mrs. Belcher has medical conditions that heighten concern over her welfare, police said.

The Austin Police Department released a photo of the missing woman in the hopes someone might recognize her and alert law enforcement officials. Officials also released an image of the model car she was driving in case someone spots the vehicle.

Anyone who sees Belcher or her vehicle is urged to call 911 or the APD Missing Persons Unit at 512-974-5250 (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android

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