Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax saved a hypothermic woman’s life.  On November 13, 2022, at approximately 8:35 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in Unincorporated Mundelein for a missing person report.  Sheriff’s deputies learned the person, an adult woman, left her residence at approximately 6:00 p.m. the same evening.  The woman was in mental distress and left on foot, not wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.  She did not bring her belongings, including her cellular phone.

Sheriff’s deputies contacted several family members and friends of the woman, however none of them knew where she was.  Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza and his canine partner, Dax, responded to the scene.  The duo started a track from the woman’s residence.  Canine Dax quickly located the woman approximately 500 feet from her home, in a wooded area, approximately 75 feet away from a nearby walking path.  The woman was unconscious and likely suffering from hypothermia.

The woman was transported to an area hospital, where she is expected to recover.  Foul play is not suspected.  Without the assistance of a sheriff’s canine team, this outcome could have been drastically different.  

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Every day I continue being impressed by the success of our canine teams.  They save lives every year, which is exactly why we increased the number of canines in our agency.  I am very proud of all of my staff who worked together to save this young woman’s life.”