The Indiana State Police have canceled the Silver Alert previously issued for Portland Johnson, a 66-year-old woman from Evansville who went missing earlier today. This cancellation came around 1:30 p.m. today, according to FOX59. The Evansville Police Department, which had been investigating the disappearance, confirmed that Johnson has been located and is safe. Johnson, who was described as a Black female, 5’3″ tall, and 190 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, was last seen wearing a black jacket, a grey sweatsuit, a black and white hat, and grey Nike shoes and carrying a tan purse.

In a Facebook post, the Evansville Police Department reported "JOHNSON HAS BEEN LOCATED," after previously holding concern for the woman's safety because she suffers from dementia. Earlier alerts informed the public that Johnson was last seen in the 200 block of S Bedford and asked for immediate assistance should she be located, as indicated by Evansville Police Department's Facebook page. Johnson's condition was such that she may have required medical assistance which had heightened the urgency of the search.

Details surrounding the circumstances of how Johnson was found have not been disclosed. The Silver Alert system, which was instrumental in the dissemination of information regarding her disappearance, has been in the spotlight recently. According to WTHR, just last year, the parameters for issuing Silver Alerts were expanded to include missing children, supplementing its original intent to assist in locating missing and endangered adults.

The responsiveness of the community and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies underscore the Silver Alert's efficacy during Johnson's disappearance. Amber Alerts are intended for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in clear danger, as highlighted in the structure of how these alerts are administered. Ensuring the safety of the community's vulnerable members, they continue to be a vital resource for both the public and the authorities.