Elderly Woman Missing for 8 Days Found Alive More Than 1,200 Miles Away

By Jenna Sundel

A 76-year-old woman from Denton, Texas, who was reported missing from an assisted living facility and became the subject of a statewide Silver Alert, was found alive at a hotel in Houghton Lake, Michigan—more than 1,200 miles from her home, police said on Tuesday.

Karen May Taube was found with her sister, Eva Haron, and is reported to be safe.

The Context

The Denton Police Department issued a Silver Alert for Taube on May 12 after detectives were notified that she had been taken by Haron without consent from Willow Bend Assisted Living & Memory Care in Denton. Taube is under court-appointed legal guardianship that excludes Haron from contacting her, the Denton Police Department said in a press release.

What To Know

Taube and Haron were found at a hotel in Houghton Lake, Michigan, on Tuesday morning. Taube was positively identified after the Roscommon County Sheriff's Office located her with Haron.

A felony warrant was obtained for Haron's arrest in connection with Taube's removal, Fox 4 News reported. However, police did not release Haron's photo or provide further details about their relationship at the time of the alert.

Taube was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation "as a precautionary measure," police said. She was expected to return to Denton under her court-appointed guardian's direction.

Haron was reportedly one of the initial applicants seeking guardianship but was not granted authority, as detailed in Denton County court records reviewed by Newsweek. The guardianship legally prevents Haron from removing or having contact with Taube without permission.

What People Are Saying

Denton Police Department, in a statement to Newsweek: "Due to unique circumstances and the ongoing investigation, no arrest was made at this time. As we have stated from the beginning, our primary concern was to locate Karen Taube and return her safely to her legal guardian. We will work with the Denton County District Attorney's office to determine if charges against Eva Haron will be filed at a later time."

Roscommon County Sheriff's Office, on Facebook: "Very pleased that our deputies were able to help bring this to a resolution today after receiving information from police in Texas and from the FBI."

What Happens Next

Denton police and the Denton County District Attorney's Office are continuing to review Taube's unauthorized removal. Authorities indicated that the review will determine whether to pursue criminal charges against Haron related to interference with the rights of a guardian.

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Elderly Woman Missing for 8 Days Found Alive More Than 1,200 Miles Away