by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
Authorities found a missing woman from Royalton early Wednesday morning after a three-day search.
On Sept. 6, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of a missing person. Rebecca Ann Schneider, 46, of Royalton, had left her daughter’s residence at 43661 95th Ave. in Brockway Township, west of Rice, on foot.
The Sheriff’s office searched the area with both officers and K-9 units on the evening of Sept. 6. The area was again searched on Sept. 7 and 8. The Minnesota State Patrol assisted by supplying a helicopter and rescue personnel. The St. Stephen Fire Department also assisted in searching wooded areas, while friends and relatives searched on ATV and horseback.
Schneider was found by a deputy on Benton County Road 78 near Rice around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, laying in a ditch. Schneider admitted she laid in the ditch when cars approached to avoid being found. She was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for evaluation. Schneider suffers from mental illness including paranoia and depression.
