On March 15, 2019, at approximately 11:20PM, a Lake County Sheriff’s K9 Team was requested to respond to an address in the 200 block of North Route 12, Volo, to search for a missing endangered adult.  

Further information revealed approximately one-hour prior to receiving the call, a 51-year-old female of Volo, had been in an argument with a family member, and was in a severe mental-crisis.  The argument occurred in a vehicle and she exited the vehicle in the 200 block of Route 12.  After not walking home to her residence her family became concerned and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

The temperature at the time was approximately 37 degrees and the female was only wearing a sweatshirt, light-weight pants, and shoes.  Deputy John Forlenza and his K9 Partner Dax arrived to conduct a track in an attempt to locate the female.  The family wasn’t able to remember the exact place the female exited the vehicle, which made the track difficult.  

After approximately two-hours of searching, the female was located sleeping outside, next to a business in the 31600 block of North Route 12, Lakemoor.  She was confused and appeared to be suffering from the initial stages of hypothermia.  The female was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.  

Sheriff John Idleburg 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.  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.  This incident is yet another example of the significant value our Sheriff’s Office K9 Teams provide the community.”