[Editor's Note: Updates to the article below are taken from police scanner dispatches from the New Canaan Police Department.]
Update 10:37 a.m.
A robocall from Lt. Vincent DeMaio of the went out moments ago, informing residents that the missing person had been found safely. The following also was sent via an email blast to subscribers of the town's notification system:
"On March 22, 2012 at approximately 3:42 pm, New Canaan Police were notified of a possibly suicidal person missing from Silver Hill Hospital. Police officers responded and a command post was established. An extensive search of the area was begun by emergency services personnel from New Canaan, Wilton, Connecticut State Police and the Fairfield County Field Com 1 unit. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members from Wilton and New Canaan aided in the search efforts. The search utilized the Connecticut State Police helicopter: Trooper 1, multiple canine search teams and extensive foot searches by emergency services personnel. The search continued throughout the night.
"At approximately 8:05 am on March 23, 2012 the missing person was located on Pastures Lane in New Canaan by a canine team from the Connecticut State Police. The patient was found injured but in stable condition. The patient was treated at the scene for injuries and exposure and then transported to Norwalk Hospital Emergency Department by New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance for further treatment."
Update 10 a.m.
The following press release was issued moments ago by New Canaan police Lt. Vincent DeMaio:
"On March 22, 2012 at approximately 3:42 pm, New Canaan Police were notified of possibly suicidal person missing from Silver Hill Hospital. Police officers responded and a command post was established. An extensive search of the area was begun by emergency services personnel from New Canaan, Wilton, Connecticut State Police and the Fairfield County Field Com 1 unit. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members for Wilton and New Canaan aided in the search efforts. The search utilized the Connecticut State Police helicopter: Trooper 1, multiple canine search teams and an extensive foot searches by emergency services personnel. The search continued throughout the night.
"At approximately 8:05 am on March 23, 2012 the missing person was located on Pastures Lane in New Canaan by a canine team from the Connecticut State Police. The patient was found injured but in stable condition. The patient was treated at the scene for injuries to her wrist and exposure then transported to Norwalk Hospital Emergency Department by New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance for further treatment."
Update 9:41 a.m.
Police identified the person who had been missing as a white female, 46 (photo attached). Update: The user-uploaded photo of the missing woman has been removed from this article.
Update 9:11 a.m.
Officer Geoffrey Lambert of the New Canaan Police Department has confirmed that the missing person from Silver Hill Hospital has been found.
"They found her, they're all set," he said.
Friday 9:02 a.m.
Police are directing officers to speak to a resident at a Valley Road residence, where someone may have discovered property belonging to the individual who has been missing since last night.
Update 11:58 p.m.
New Canaan police are calling all units to Silver Hill Hospital, to put officers into teams.
Update 11:35 p.m.
New Canaan police are discussing the staffing plan for Friday's day shift.
Patch has added an interactive map tracking where police searched for the missing person and reported sightings late Thursday.
Update 11:10 p.m.
One of two escapees from Silver Hill reportedly has returned, according to police dispatches. Police seeking to find the still-missing person, reportedly female, say she had a credit card or at least access to a credit card and cash, but no cellphone.
Update 11:07 p.m.
Report from police that "second patient is back."
Update 11:04 p.m.
Police say they have an escapee from Silver Hill Hospital who likely would have headed in the direction of Silvermine Road.
Update 11:01 p.m.
Report that state police will not be able to fly again tonight as they've exceeded their flight hours. A helicopter had been dispatched at the start of tonight's search.
Update 10:56 p.m.
Police are asking whether there is "anybody that could have possibly picked her up."
Wilton police are seeking to obtain a photo of the missing person from the individual's family, police say.
Update 10:50 p.m.
Police checking in the area of Weed Street and Sunset Hill Road say they made no contact with the individual described.
Update 10:43 p.m.
Police also are looking into a report of a woman with "a bunch of bags" walking on Weed Street near Sunset Hill Road. The area is on the other side of town from Valley Road, where the missing person search commenced.
Update 10:34 p.m.
Police are being asked to check on report of a teen walking north on Canoe Hill Road between Brushy Ridge and Ferris Hill Roads.
Update 10:28 p.m.
New Canaan police are seeking assistance from Wilton Police in helping to identify whether the missing person has returned home. Police say relatives of the missing person are at "the hospital." The closest hospital to Valley Road in New Canaan, where the search commenced, is Silver Hill Hospital, a psychiatric facility.
Update 10:21 p.m.
Police say a second dog is arriving via state police.
Original Article
Lt. Fred Pickering of the New Canaan Police Department issued the following information in an email blast and robocall to town residents:
"The New Canaan Police Department along with the Wilton Police Department and the Connecticut State Police are currently in the process of searching for a missing person in the Valley Rd. area of New Canaan. We are using a helicopter provided by the Connecticut State Police as well as numerous search dogs. We ask that all residence stay inside their homes. This will assist us in our search."
Police spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.
New Canaan Patch will have more information as it becomes available.
