Missing Latta woman, 85, found alive in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — She was a little dirty and dehydrated, but Jaxie Rogers, 85, of South Carolina was in good spirits when she was found in the woods on Tuesday, according to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Rogers was reported missing on Friday from an IGA grocery store in Latta, SC, according to WPDE.  She was seen leaving the grocery store driving her 2008 Buick Lacrosse. Rogers was reported to suffer from a cognitive impairment/disability.

On Tuesday, at around 8:00 am, utility workers were in the vicinity of the 11,000 block of Old Highway 74, next to the Lumber River, when they located an abandoned vehicle.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office went to the location and confirmed that the abandoned vehicle belonged to Rogers.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in reference to providing additional resources to assist in the search for Rogers.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Tracking and Bloodhound Team was deployed and began searching the area near the vehicle, while their helicopter also helped search by air.

Multiple agencies provided boots on the ground to assist in locating Rogers.

At approximately 11:30 am, she was found approximately one half mile from her car in a densely wooded area, beside of the Lumber River.

Rogers traveled through areas of high water during her journey.  She was dehydrated but in good spirits.  Her first request was for something to drink, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said.

She was carried out of the wooded area and transported to the hospital for evaluation.