Missing woman, 5-year-old great grandson found safe

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A 76-year-old woman and her 5-year-old great-grandson, who police had been searching for all day Monday, were found late Monday night in Davie County and are safe, according to authorities.

The pair were located at the TA Travel Center at exit 170 off of Interstate 40 around 9 p.m. Deputies said there was damage to the vehicle the woman was driving, possibly caused by a minor accident earlier.

Family members reunited with the Mary Ann Yoder and her great-grandson Dustin Byers at the truck stop after an all-day search.

Five-year-old Dustin Byers hardly seemed phased by the day's events.
 
Deputies called in every resource the could -- including Chopper 9 Skyzoom -- to find the two after Dustin didn't show up to school Monday morning.
 
Family members said a woman spotted the two and recognized them from news reports. She quickly called police.
 
Authorities issued a Silver Alert for Yoder when she failed to show up at Stoney Point Elementary School to drop the 5-year-old off.

Channel 9 obtained surveillance video taken around 12:30 p.m. that showed Yoder at the Barker's Log Cabin convenience store in Harmony.

It also showed her great-grandson walking in the store carrying her purse.

The store owner said Yoder seemed confused and asked for directions.

More than eight hours later Yoder, the boy and their dog were found safe.

Yoder is expected to undergo a mental evaluation Tuesday.

WSOC