Purple Alert issued for missing Florida woman. Here's what it means and how you can help
A purple alert was issued Tuesday, June 10, for a missing Florida woman.
Cynthia Padgett was last seen in Glen St. Mary and may be traveling in the Ocala area, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.
If spotted, officials said not to approach her but to contact law enforcement immediately.
Here's what you should know.
A Purple Alert was issued June 10 for missing Florida woman Cynthia Padgett.
Padgett, 57, was last seen in the 17600 block of North Tommie Road in Glen St. Mary, according to the FDLE.
She was wearing a gray shirt and red-and-black checkered pajama pants. She may be wearing glasses.
Padgett may be traveling in a 2013, white Ford Fiesta with a Florida tag IFTP94.
The FDLE said Padgett may be traveling in the Ocala area.
"If located, DO NOT APPROACH. Contact law enforcement immediately," the FDLE said.
Glen St. Mary is located about 25 miles west of Jacksonville.
Ocala is about 70 miles south of Glen St. Mary.
The Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder.
Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or seriously bodily harm.
Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response.
As of June 11, there were 10 active Purple Alerts on the FDLE's website. The oldest is a man, Herbert McKinnon, missing from Orlando since June 2022.
Click on the link for more details on each of the active Purple Alerts.
Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly in your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult.
The alert flyer will be sent directly to your home computer, smart phone or other email capable device.
Florida's Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021, with an effective date of July 1, 2022.
The person is 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a state level Silver Alert.
An investigation has determined the missing person:
Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury; or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and
Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia related disorder.
Has your law-enforcement agency's investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law-enforcement intervention?
Is there a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution?
Has your agency entered the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center?
Does the law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommend activation?
If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine whether a Purple Alert is appropriate.
If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert.
Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Purple Alert issued: Cynthia Padgett missing from Glen St. Mary
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