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Family Appeals For Aid In Search

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By VALERIE KALFRIN and NATALIE SHEPHERD nshepherd@wfla.com

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

TAMPA - A 75-year-old Englishwoman who wandered away from a relative's home in Ruskin might have walked about three miles into a shopping area, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

The husband and niece of Enid Grace Hendricks, who goes by her middle name, appealed to the public to report any sightings of Hendricks, who was reported missing about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"This has never happened before," said Robert Hendricks, who arrived with his wife Tuesday from England. "And the first time in Florida. ... Oh, my God. Please, Grace, come home."

Johannie Stanley said her aunt is not someone who will "walk up and ask for help."

"I think she's just walking and confused," Stanley said. "She doesn't know where to go. We believe she's safe. She's just wandering around."

Sheriff's Maj. John Marsicano said deputies were extending their search north of Ruskin after receiving valid sightings of Hendricks in a tomato field and around Sun Point Plaza.
Deputies worked through the night going door-to-door to find Hendricks, who family members say may be in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

"The sheriff has pulled out all the resources on this one," Marsicano said at a news conference.

Hendricks is black, about 5-foot-5 and 130 pounds. She is thought to be wearing a light-colored wig, a nightgown and a housecoat. She may be wearing slippers. She had some U.S. money with her.

Hendricks is originally from Jamaica and has a thick accent.

She was reported missing from the 2500 block of Yukon Cliff Drive. Robert Hendricks told investigators he heard a door open about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and discovered his wife was gone when he got up about 9 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or (813) 247-8200.

Reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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