Missing mom found alive in forest as officials investigate ‘suspicious’ house fire
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An Indiana mother who vanished more than a week ago has been found alive in a nearby forest, just days after flames broke out in her home in what authorities are calling a “suspicious” fire.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, dispatchers received a 911 call from 46-year-old Britney Gard, who said she was lost in the Hall Woods Nature Preserve, east of Bainbridge, Indiana. The location was about 2.5 miles from her residence, officials said.

“Britney was quickly found by Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies with the assistance of Indiana Conservation Officers, an Indiana State Police detective, Bainbridge Fire Department personnel and excellent directions from our 911 dispatchers,” Sheriff Jerrod E. Baugh said in a statement.

Gard was evaluated at the scene by medical personnel before being taken to a hospital for further treatment. Authorities have not disclosed her current condition.

Britney Gard

Authorities are investigating a “suspicious” fire after rescuers found the missing mother alive nearby. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Indiana)

Investigators said that the fire appeared “suspicious in nature.” Family members and authorities were unable to reach Gard after the fire, prompting days of searches through fields, wooded areas and ponds near her home.

Gard’s daughter, who had been at a volleyball game that evening, returned home to find emergency crews on-site and was told her mother was missing, according to WRTV.

The outlet also reported that Gard’s purse and ID were left behind. 

Family members — including Gard’s four sisters — traveled from across the country to help with search efforts during the week she was missing, WRTV reported. 

Authorities have not released further details about how Gard ended up in the wooded preserve or the cause of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing.

“Please continue to keep Ms. Gard’s family, our investigators and emergency personnel in your prayers,” Baugh said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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