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Missing Sonora Woman Found Safe After Intense Multi-Agency Search
26 Aug
Summary
- 85-year-old Barbara Crosby found asleep under brush near East Bald Mountain Road
- Breakthrough came when residents reported seeing Crosby's dog, Poncho
- Rescuers used specialized equipment to bring Crosby safely back to the road
On August 26th, 2025, authorities in Tuolumne County, California announced the successful rescue of an 85-year-old woman who had been missing since the previous weekend. Barbara Crosby, a resident of Sonora, was discovered asleep under brush near East Bald Mountain Road late on Sunday night, following a multi-agency search effort led by the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.
The breakthrough in the search came around 9 p.m. on Sunday, when local residents reported seeing a dog matching the description of Crosby's pet, Poncho. Tuolumne County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were already in the area following up on a tip about a possible sighting of Crosby, and they quickly spoke with several residents who had seen the dog earlier in the day.
Just as the search crews were planning operations for the following morning, another sighting was reported, providing a clear direction of travel for Poncho. Rescuers then hiked down a steep 70-foot embankment, where they located Poncho hiding under some brush. A short distance away, they found the sleeping Crosby on the ground.
Due to the rugged terrain and thick vegetation, the sheriff's office said the rescuers "used a stokes litter and rope system" to safely bring Crosby back up to the road. She was then transferred to medics and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. While Crosby is now safe, her dog Poncho ran off before rescuers could secure him and may still be in the area.
