[07/25/02]A Redbone Road resident in her 80s who may have been outdoors for two days was found Wednesday and remained hospitalized today.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Judith Elizabeth Strong, 81, was last seen in her yard by a neighbor Monday afternoon around 4. She was reported missing around noon Wednesday, and a search was begun immediately.

River Region Medical Center spokesman Diane Gawronski said Strong was in stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit this morning.

Pace said his officers and other searchers were quickly joined at the scene by Maj. Dan Smith who trains bloodhounds for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.

Officers found the carport door open and a piece of clothing that indicated the direction in which to begin the search, Pace said.

“Maj. Smith is to be commended,” Pace said. “He got the bloodhound unit here about 40 minutes after we gave him the call, which is about the time it takes to make the drive.”

Strong was in a wooded area, lying in a shallow ditch about a 1,000 yards from her home. She had no visible injuries, Pace said, but due to the heat and exposure was immediately taken by ambulance to River Region.

Pace said an investigation was being conducted, but initially it appears Strong may have become disoriented.