PORTER COUNTY, Ind — A statewide Silver Alert for a woman missing from northwest Indiana was canceled after she was found safe, the Porter County Sheriff's Office said.
The department had been asking for the public's help locating 51-year-old Judith Ruiz, who had last been seen at 2 a.m. Jan. 30 in Valparaiso, Indiana.
A Silver Alert was issued around 8 a.m. and canceled around 9:45 a.m.
Valparaiso is roughly 150 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police.
