Woman found in CF woods

Ran on Sunday, June 24, 2007 Woman found in CF woods Leader-Telegram staff

By Keighla Schmidt The 93-year-old Chippewa Falls woman who was missing for about 11 hours Saturday was found about 7 p.m., according to the Chippewa Falls Police Department. Dorothy M. Murphy, who was reported missing at 8:25 a.m., was found by members of the Chippewa Falls Fire Department in a heavily wooded area near the intersection of Therbrooke and East streets, about a block north of where Murphy was reported missing. Murphy's daughter, Kathy Goettl of Chippewa Falls, said she was excited when hearing her mother was found. Murphy suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls. She was being treated for dehydration, according to Lt. Mike Farley of the Police Department. Murphy's injuries included a broken ankle, Goettl said Saturday night. Goettl said she suspects her mother fell and spent most of the 11 hours she was missing on the ground where she was found. Goettl said her mother has not previously wandered off. She said she thinks her mother, who suffers from dementia, was simply confused. Murphy is a resident of Our House Assisted Care on the city's northeast side. Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203, (800) 236-7077 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.