Silver Alert for missing 80-year-old Kokomo woman

HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. — A statewide Silver Alert has been issued for an 80-year-old woman missing from Kokomo.

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office said shortly before 4 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, it was discovered that Betty Stroup, who suffers from dementia, was missing from her home in the area of 2300 N 100 East.

Stroup, 80, is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 118 pounds, and has white hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing burgundy pajamas with hearts on them and may be in possession of a small black Shih Tzu dog.

Howard County Sheriff’s deputies said Stroup is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.

Deputies started ground and aerial searches throughout the night, then received a verified tip that Stroup was seen walking on Morgan Street, approaching State Road 931 around 2 a.m. Thursday.

Search crews continued working Thursday and brought in a bloodhound from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to help track Troup’s path.

Anyone with information on Stroup’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Scott Waymire at 765-614-3463 or call 911.

Kokomo is roughly 60 miles north of downtown Indianapolis.

NOTE: Previous information on Stroup’s description came from a Silver Alert from Indiana State Police.

There are specific standards a person’s disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.                                        

Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.                                       

Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.      

In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police.