Missing Palmdale woman found in 'fair condition'

PALMDALE (CNS/FOX 11) - A 79-year-old woman with dementia who went missing from her Palmdale home on Thursday was found in fair condition Saturday morning in Pasadena, authorities said.

Pasadena firefighters were called at about 9:30 a.m. when a woman later confirmed to be Bernice Waynelee Smith was found disoriented next to her parked 2003 silver four-door Mercedes, said Lt. Ron Shaffer of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.

Police called to the scene checked her license plate and it matched a Silver Alert issued Friday night, Shaffer said.

Smith was found near the 800 block of Prospect Boulevard, according to Deputy Tony Moore of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

Smith was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital for treatment of dehydration and low blood sugar, Shaffer said.

"I don't know if there was a rhyme or a reason for where she was at,'' he said. "They get in a car and start driving.''

Smith was last seen at approximately noon Thursday leaving her residence on Malaga Court in Palmdale in her car, authorities said. Her family became concerned and reported her missing Friday, Shaffer said.