Melonie Ballenger is found safe in Texas after being missing for days

A Texas woman who disappeared Monday morning without essential medications has been found safe, police confirmed.

Melonie Ballenger, 46, went to bed with her husband Daniel at their home in Wylie, Texas, on Sunday evening. However, when the family woke up in the early hours of Monday morning, they found themselves without “cash, credit card, wallet and identification,” her husband of 22 years explained.

An extensive search involving K9 units, a helicopter and aircraft was initiated but yielded no results.

Residents were even asked to check outdoor camera footage between 6:45 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Monday to help police search for clues, while the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a coordinated law enforcement adult rescue alert on Thursday issued that helps authorities find missing, abducted or kidnapped adults ages 18 to 64 who are “in imminent danger of injury or death.”

However, good news finally came Friday afternoon when Wylie police confirmed she had been found just over a mile from her home.

“At approximately 5:15 p.m., Melonie was located by a resident near Abby Ln and Tyler Trail. She was found to be severely dehydrated but otherwise in good health,” a police statement said.

“Melonie is currently being reunited with her family and taken to hospital for treatment. We would like to thank everyone who worked day and night to find her. Please respect the family’s privacy when gathering with their loved one. Melonie was found here too and is safe.”

Fears over Melonie’s whereabouts grew as the mother-of-two faces heart surgery in the coming weeks and also left medication “critical” to her health at home.

Fears were felt throughout the community as neighbors at Gateway Community Church prayed for Ballenger’s safe return at a vigil Tuesday night after the country cast its vote in the presidential election.