Missing woman, girl found alive
RICHMOND, Va. — A New Jersey woman and her five-year-old greatgranddaughter have been found alive in Virginia, days after disappearing on a holiday road trip and evidence suggests the two had become stranded in remote woods, authorities said.
The 71-year-old woman, Barbara Briley, was unconscious when she was found beside a tree with her great-granddaughter La’Myra Briley on Wednesday afternoon in an area of Dinwiddie County south of Richmond and at least 1.5 km from a paved road, Virginia State Police said.
Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in a statement that the two were near their vehicle, parked on private property, where they were discovered by a man. Authorities said it appeared the two had been there for several days and had snacks and drinks to get by. The two had been the focus of a multistate search.
Barbara Briley was flown by helicopter to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va., where she was listed in serious condition, the statement said. Authorities said the child appeared unharmed and was taken for a medical evaluation before being reunited with relatives.
The property owner had spotted the car from a distance and when he went to check on it, he found the two nearby, authorities said. Maj. William Knott of the Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office said the man had seen news reports about the missing travellers and called 911.
“This person probably saved them,” Knott said.
Barbara Briley was “not responsive to questions” when authorities arrived, but Knott said the child was “in good shape and very talkative.”
The Brileys had left New Jersey on Christmas Eve to visit relatives in North Carolina but never arrived. They were last seen last weekend at a gas station in Ruther Glen, Va., about 50 km north of Richmond.
Surveillance video from the gas station shows Barbara Briley walking inside about 5:40 p.m. Saturday. She exits and re-enters before eventually pulling away just after 6 p.m., authorities said.
Gas station clerk Joanna Strange told local media that Briley came inside to say she was lost and she then helped the woman with her GPS before Briley went on her way.