Woman abducted, driven across Missouri, left for dead

BUFFALO, Mo. (AP) -- A 67-year-old woman was abducted from her southeast Missouri home and taken to Dallas County in southwest Missouri, where she was attacked and left for dead, authorities said Monday.

The woman, whose name was withheld, was in stable condition at a Springfield hospital after being found about 3:30 a.m. Monday at a home near Buffalo.

Her throat had been cut, and it appeared an attempt was made to strangle her, Dallas County Sheriff Billie Blair said.

The incident apparently began Sunday night with a break-in at the victim's home in Campbell.

The victim told authorities that a woman knocked on her door and asked to use the telephone. After the victim agreed, the woman and a man apparently forced their way into the house, Blair said.

The victim's home was ransacked before she was forced into her car.

After the attack, the victim was able to make her way to a house about eight miles east of Buffalo, Blair said. She was found hiding in a pickup at the home.

Police believe the suspects drove back to southeast Missouri. The victim's 1999 Pontiac Grand Am was found abandoned and on fire about 7 a.m. in Dunklin County, authorities said. A search for the suspects was under way.

Blair didn't immediately know how the victim was able to get free or why she was dumped in southwest Missouri.