Cranston woman found; caregiver arrested for abuse

A 45-year-old woman with autism, Linda DaLomba, was found safe on Sunday after being reported missing since Wednesday. She was discovered in the back of an SUV parked on the street in Cranston. Police stated the vehicle had been there for weeks, and the woman appeared to be in good health after being taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The SUV was located less than a mile from DaLomba's apartment. A resident noticed the car and went to check on it. When he opened the vehicle to jump-start the battery, he found DaLomba curled up inside. During the search, police had previously passed the SUV but could not see her due to the tinted windows. DaLomba's caregiver, Roberta Gerard, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including abuse and neglect of an impaired adult. Gerard had reported DaLomba missing but changed her story several times when questioned by police. Initially, she claimed to have lost track of DaLomba at a store, but video evidence contradicted this. The police raised concerns about how DaLomba survived without proper care, as she needs insulin every few hours. The investigation continues, and authorities are exploring whether anyone else was involved in her disappearance. Police from various agencies, including the FBI, assisted in the search. Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist expressed relief that DaLomba was found alive, noting that many missing cases do not have positive outcomes. Special Olympians helped in the search, as DaLomba has been a competitor in the Special Olympics.