An 80-year-old Florida woman with Alzheimer’s disease reported missing by her family was thankfully found safe and sound six days later lying down in her neighbor’s garage. Margaret Gallaway wandered out of the house, leading her family on a frantic search for their vulnerable wife and mother. Somehow, she managed to survive without food or water for the duration, CBS Miami reports.
Margaret Gallaway was last seen on October 16.
When her husband, Michael Gallaway, reported her missing on October 17, the local community in Collier County came together to search for her, with over 100 people joining the search party.
Given that Galalway is non-verbal and suffers from dementia, they knew it was imperative that she was located as soon as possible. In addition to going door-to-door, deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office reviewed Ring doorbell footage from houses in the area, when they noticed something a bit odd.
Doorbell footage showed a woman approaching a garage in the neighborhood.
Deputies reached out to the homeowner and asked if they could search the property. When they went into the garage, they found Margaret Gallaway lying there.
Authorities say that on the day Gallaway went missing, the garage door was open. However, the homeowner later closed it, having no idea that the missing woman was inside.
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Gallaway was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
As if finding her safe and sound wasn’t amazing enough, another incredible thing happened: Margaret Gallaway spoke for the first time in a very long time.
Her youngest daughter, Maureen Taylor, told WFTZ-TV that her mother was able to confirm who she was when paramedics approached her and said, “Margaret?” Her mother then confirmed with a simple, “Yes.”
“We haven’t heard her say ‘yes’ in a long time. She hasn’t spoken in as long as I can remember,” Taylor revealed.
And that’s not all. “My name is Margaret Ann Gallway,” she repeatedly told medical staff checking her over at Collier County hospital.
Gallaway’s son was shocked that his mother was alive and well after being alone in the garage for six days.
“If someone told you, you would be locked in a garage, basically in a dark box, for six days with no food or water. How many of us think we could get through that?” Mike Gallaway said.
He urged homeowners in the area to always keep their doorbell cameras and other security cams going because “it’s more than just your security. It can save someone’s life.”
