Police search for missing Fort Myers woman with dementia

Fort Myers Police Department was actively searching with K9 unit dogs Monday for a missing woman who has dementia.

Maria Dilenia Espinal, 65, was reported missing early Sunday morning and is considered missing and endangered due to her condition.

She was last seen walking on Luckett Road, east of Ortiz Avenue.

Espinal was wearing a light green/blue sweater, gray sweatpants, and black Croc-style shoes.

Her daughters are now in search of their mother. They hope to find her safe and bring her home before the holidays.

“We know she’s a fighter, and she’s going to be back home to us,” daughter Elizabeth Berri said. “We are hopeful she will come back home.”

Berri says her mother disappeared a separate time couple weeks ago, but this time is different.

“She was able to come back on her own,” Berri said. “She went around the block. She came back on her own. It lasted two to three hours.”

Espinal’s family is holding out hope she will return home safe.

“We are hopeful that we are going to be able to find her,” Berri said. “She’s resilient, strong. She’s been always very athletic and has always come out on top.”

If you have seen her or know her whereabouts, you can contact Fort Myers Police Department at 239-321-7700.

“We are begging to please help us,” Berri said. “It’s holiday season. Everyone wants to spend time with family … just like everyone has been spending holiday season. We just want her home with us.”

“Please bring her back to us,” daughter Jessica Michael said.