The powers of a caring community and social media were confirmed today, when the Kane County Sheriff’s Office was able to report that an Alzheimer patient who had gone missing yesterday is now home safe.

The Sheriff’s Office posted a news release and Facebook post Wednesday (May 18, 2016) asking for the public’s help in locating Margaret “Peggy” Banks, who had been last seen at about 6:30 p.m when she left her home in the Sugar Grove area driving a 2007 Green Toyota Avalon with Illinois registration 1356224.

The post noted that Banks was “non-verbal” but was wearing a medical ID bracelet. She used to live in the Batavia area and is familiar with the Tri-Cities, but her direction of travel was unknown.

The Sheriff’s Office entered her name into LEADS as missing/endangered and asked anyone who had contact with Peggy or her vehicle to call 911.

The Facebook post was shared 684 times and contained 41 comments filled with well-wishes, hopes, prayers and information helpful to law-enforcement authorities.

A news-release update at announced that Banks was found just before 11 p.m. and was safe and her family had been notified.

“The Kane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone for their assistance in getting the message out,” Kane County Sheriff Donald Kramer said.

About the Kane County Sheriff’s Office

It is the mission of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office to maintain peace in Kane County communities and protect the Constitutional rights of all citizens. Sheriff’s Office employees will accomplish this mission by providing effective and efficient services with moral and ethical integrity. All citizens can be expected to be treated with equal justice and compassion for their needs. For more information, visit the Kane County Sheriff’s Office website and KaneSheriff’s Facebook page.