Poplar Bluff woman found after 12 hours missing

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The glow of a cellphone led emergency responders Tuesday morning to a Poplar Bluff woman who had been missing for nearly 12 hours.

Although cold and disoriented, Joy Arnold, 63, was found in good health, according to Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs.

After being evaluated on the scene by emergency medical services personnel, Dobbs said, Arnold refused further medical treatment.

After discovering Arnold missing from her home on County Road 432, off Route TT, on Monday evening, her family searched for her for about an hour using the GPS on her cellphone, Dobbs said. They then contacted the sheriff's department at about 6 p.m.

"She had health issues, [so] her well being was instantly something to be concerned with by the family," he said.

When the sheriff's department began searching, Dobbs said, Arnold's cellphone was turned off or dead, but an approximate location for the phone was made at about 4 a.m.

At about 4:35 a.m. "a small glowing light was seen along a fence row that was completely covered in vegetation," Dobbs said.

At first, Dobbs said, he and other searchers thought the light was the reflection of an animal's eyes.

"The vegetation was so thick, we couldn't see a person on the other side until we got about 10 feet away," Dobbs said.

Although the exact details of Arnold's disappearance are unknown, Dobbs said, it may be possible she had gone for a walk.

"We know there were dogs in the area that had a hold of her purse [which was found during the search]," Dobbs said. "She was very much in fear of dogs, and may have fled into the woods out of fear of said dogs."

Dobbs said about 50 people helped search for Arnold, including members of the Southeast Missouri Search and Rescue Team, the Scott County Search and Rescue Team, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Butler County Fire Department.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.