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Missing great-grandmother and child found alive

Published  December 28, 2016 11:04pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

NEW JERSEY (WTXF) - Police say a great-grandmother and her 5-year-old great-granddaughter have been found alive in Virginia.

According to police, Barbara Briely 71, and La'Myra Briely, 5, left Mays Landing, New Jersey on December 24 and were traveling to Morven, North Carolina for a planned holiday visit with family. The two were last seen on Saturday at an Exxon gas station in Ruther Glen, Virginia, and appeared to be in good health but they never made it to North Carolina.

Officials say thanks to an alert Dinwiddie County, Va., property owner, the missing 71-year-old New Jersey woman and her 5-year-old great-granddaughter were located in their vehicle shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday. Both were found still seated inside the silver Toyota Rav4 that was parked on private property. The property owner had spotted the vehicle from afar and went to check on it.

Police say when he found the woman and the child Barbara was unconscious at the time of the discovery. No foul play is suspected in their disappearance.

According to police, it appears Barbara turned off of Nash Road and onto a dirt road, which she followed about 3/10 of a mile before pulling off into the woods. At one point, she drove over a small tree, attempted to back up and the Rav4 got stuck in a remote area of the property. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, it appears the two were there for several days but had enough drinks and snacks to sustain them for the duration of that time.

Upon receiving the call from the local resident, the Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police immediately responded to and remain on scene. State police is in contact with the lead investigative agency, the Township of Hamilton, N.J., Police Department.

Barbara Briley was flown by State Police Med-Flight helicopter to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va., for treatment. She is listed in serious condition. La'Myra Briley was alert and appeared unharmed, but she was transported from the scene for medical evaluation. The child is now in the custody of a family member.

FOX 29 spoke to family members right after the great-grandmother and her great-granddaughter were found and they were rushing to the Richmond area to meet up with them.