Lake County Sheriff’s K-9 Dax | Provided Photo

Lake County Sheriff’s K-9 Dax tracked down a missing woman and found her unconscious near Mundelein. Authorities say the outcome could have been “drastically different” had he not located her.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:35 p.m. Sunday to a residence in unincorporated Mundelein for a report of a missing person.

Sheriff’s deputies learned the person, an adult woman, left her residence at approximately 6 p.m., according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.

The woman was in mental distress and left on foot. She was also not wearing appropriate clothing for the weather, Covelli said.

The woman did not bring her belongings or a cell phone.

Sheriff’s deputies contacted several family members and friends of the woman but none of them knew where she was.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza and his canine partner, Dax, responded to the scene.

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The duo started a track from the woman’s residence. Dax quickly located the woman approximately 500 feet from her home.

The woman was in a wooded area approximately 75 feet away from a nearby walking path.

She was unconscious and believed to be suffering from hypothermia, Covelli said.

The woman was transported to an area hospital where she is expected to recover. Foul play is not suspected.

“Without the assistance of a sheriff’s canine team, this outcome could have been drastically different,” Covelli said.

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said he continues to be impressed by the success of the agency’s canine teams.

“They save lives every year, which is exactly why we increased the number of canines in our agency. I am very proud of all of my staff who worked together to save this young woman’s life,” Idleburg said.

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