Missing woman turns up alive

By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Published:

Friday, September 18, 2009 2:15 AM EDT

Shelley T. Campbell, the Old Chatham woman who walked out of Columbia Memorial Hospital Monday evening and seemingly disappeared, was located in Pennsylvania Thursday afternoon, apparently unaware that authorities had initiated a full-scale search operation to find her.

Hudson Police Chief Ellis Richardson said that in these types of situations they are always happy when they end this way. He said Campbell was unhurt. But, he said, one of the people involved in the search did suffer from an apparent knee injury.

For the last two days authorities have been searching the area for Campbell, 52, going door to door and scouring the area she was last scene and further afield.

Thursday’s search began at 8 a.m. and involved “upwards of 60 people” according to HPD Lt. Lynn Finn.

The State Police had helicopters, a number of K-9 units, and other members involved in the operation. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Greenport Rescue Squad, Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and volunteers, among others, helped in the search.

Finn said that A. Calarusso and Son, a local construction company had also helped out, providing maps and other information on the area where the search had been concentrated.

Campbell had last been seen near the Hudson City Cemetery and a dog tracked a scent to a nearby quarry.

According to Finn, Campbell called police Thursday afternoon from Matamoras, Pa., when Campbell discovered that they had been looking for her after speaking with her sister.

“She said she would have called earlier if she knew we were looking for her,” said Finn.

Campbell had been at the hospital voluntarily for a mental health evaluation when she walked out wearing hospital pants and a hospital gown, said police.

When Pennsylvania State Troopers located her she was wearing different clothes, said police.

Campbell told authorities that a friend drove her to Pennsylvania.

There are no charges being filed against Campbell, said Finn.

Finn said that Campbell had been planning to visit her sister, but would probably be returning to Columbia County.

***

To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518- 828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.

gavdar wrote on Sep 18, 2009 8:33 AM:

" So who gets the bill for the helipcoptors and manpower used in the search? "

Zoril46 wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:15 AM:

" I am just glad that she was found alive. "

6756 wrote on Sep 19, 2009 4:13 AM:

" no one NYS DOES NOT CHARGE FOR SEARCH;S ( most of the east coast does not) "

gavdar wrote on Sep 19, 2009 9:33 PM:

" "no one NYS DOES NOT CHARGE FOR SEARCH;S ( most of the east coast does not) "

No - we the taxpayers are paying!

I am sure that it is not cheap to put a helicoptor or two in the air for a few hours. "

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