Police seeks public's help in finding South Lake Tahoe at-risk woman

2:40 p.m. update: Tara Dawn Johnson has been located. She was discovered walking in the area of Lake Tahoe and Al Tahoe Boulevards just before 2:00 p.m. Thursday. She was wet with the rain and cold, but otherwise seemed healthy. Her dog Bart was with her and he is fine as well.

Johnson explained she had walked away of her own accord and found shelter on her own last night. There appears to have been no foul play involved in this case. Johnson has been released back to her care giver.

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The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is asking for the public's help in finding a 46-year-old local woman who did not return home after walking her dog Wednesday night.

During the early morning hours of December 15, 2016 SLTPD Patrol Officers responded to the area of Bonanza Ave for a missing person report. The caregiver for Tara Dawn Johnson reported that Johnson left her apartment near Bonanza Avenue and F St in South Lake Tahoe to walk her dog at approximately 10:30 p.m. Johnson was last seen with her black and white Chihuahua “Bert” in that area. The caregiver said it is out of character for her to not return.

Johnson suffers from medical conditions which require her to take medication and has a diminished mental capacity. For these reasons, SLTPD considers Tara Johnson an "At-Risk Missing Person."

Johnson is a white female adult, 5'1" tall, weighing 120 pounds. She has brown and grey hair and wears it in a bun. She was last seen wearing blue sweatpants, a black jacket, turquoise earrings and three necklaces.

Anyone who may have information about this case is encouraged to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or to remain anonymous, Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.