Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announced on Sunday, March 23, that after an intensive 70-hour search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Ms. Linda DaLomba, a developmentally disabled woman, has been found safe. Her caregiver, Ms. Roberta Gerard, has been arrested. DaLomba was transported to Rhode Island Hospital to be evaluated.

DaLomba, who resides in a group home in Lincoln, was reported missing by her caregiver on Wednesday, March 19. The caregiver initially claimed that Ms. DaLomba disappeared while she was using the bathroom at the Burlington Coat Factory.

However, after a review of surveillance footage and further questioning, Ms. Gerard admitted that she had fabricated the story. She later stated that Ms. DaLomba went missing from the back of her vehicle at 34-36 North Clarendon Street after she briefly entered her residence to heat food. Ms. Gerard estimated that Ms. DaLomba was out of sight for approximately four minutes.

In response, Patrol and Detective Division members conducted interviews, reviewed surveillance footage, and executed ground and aerial searches. The FBI, State Police, and the Providence Police Department supported search efforts.

The breakthrough in the case came when a resident on Pond Street contacted Cranston Police after discovering Ms. DaLomba lying inside the rear hatch area of his SUV, which had been parked for several weeks. Ms. DaLomba was conscious and alert and was immediately transported to Rhode Island Hospital for evaluation. Preliminary findings suggest she had been inside the vehicle for an extended period.

Ms. Roberta Gerard, age 43, was taken into custody at approximately 1:54 PM and arraigned on charges including Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of an Adult with Severe Impairment (a felony offense), Obstruction of an Officer in the Execution of Duty, and False Report of a Crime. She was released on $5,000 surety bail and scheduled to appear for formal arraignment in the Third District Court in Warwick.

Authorities continue to investigate how Ms. DaLomba ended up in the vehicle. The location where Ms. DaLomba was found was a short distance from the nail salon Ms. Gerard visited in the afternoon before reporting Ms. DaLomba was missing.

“We are grateful for the support from the community, especially from the caregiver network, who assisted in our efforts and kept Ms. DaLomba in their thoughts and prayers,” Colonel Winquist said. “I commend the dedicated officers and our law enforcement partners who worked relentlessly to reunite Ms. DaLomba with her family and friends.”