Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Missing At-Risk Woman Found

Margaret Villareal, who suffers from schizophrenic with the mental capacity of a 10-year-old, went missing Saturday near border of Morgan Hill.

Updated Sunday at 4:45 p.m.

A 41-year-old schizophrenic woman reported missing Saturday from a San Jose care home has been found and is safe, police said today.

Margaret Villareal, who has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old, was found Saturday night in the area of Frazier Lake at about 8:30 p.m., police said.

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Villareal, who was not injured, was taken to an Emergency Psychiatric Services facility in Santa Clara County. Staff contacted San Jose police to inform them that an unidentified woman had been taken into custody, and officers were able to identify her as Villareal.

Villareal had been reported missing around 11:30 a.m. Saturday from the care home at 115 Madrone Ave. in San Jose, police said.

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The Santa Clara County Search and Rescue team searched the area with the help of tracking K-9s and a police helicopter, but were unable to locate Villareal.

According to police, a three-hour delay in reporting her disappearance further hindered the search.

Police say Villareal has difficulty communicating and is unable to care for herself. She has lived at the group home for just two days and may not be familiar with the rural area, which borders Morgan Hill, according to police.


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