UPDATE: Maria Del Carmen was located around 6:30 AM and was reunited with her family. (Dacula, Ga., Thursday, February 4, 2021) – The Gwinnett County Police Department is searching for a missing 73-year old Dacula woman.

Maria Del Carmen Contreras was last seen at her daughter’s home on Lakeland Drive in unincorporated Dacula at around 10:30pm.  Her family went to wake her around 2am for a treatment and found that she was not in her bedroom.  A search of the home found that she likely exited the front door.   

Officers assigned to the East Precinct, the K9 Unit, and Aviation Unit are actively searching the area.  The Gwinnett Search Team is in the process of being activated. 

Maria may be wearing a light blue tank top and a black shawl. She is not appropriately dressed for the current low temperatures. 

According to her family, Maria has never wandered off before.  She may be trying to walk to another family member’s home on Mill Grove Terrace (approximately 3 miles away).  Maria has several medical conditions that require round-the-clock care.  She is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 145 lbs. She has light brownish-grey hair and green eyes. 

We are encouraging local residents to check their immediate properties for any possible sightings.  Those with doorbell and security cameras are asked to review their footage to see if they identify Maria. 

Please call 911 if you see her.