Ryah Jones, a 22-year-old reported missing by her family, was found safe near the Hillsboro Public Library, Shute Park, according to a March 31 statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The case drew concern because Jones has a cognitive impairment and was unfamiliar with public transportation or using a phone. The incident highlights the importance of coordinated search efforts and community involvement in ensuring public safety.
After Jones was last seen leaving her home on NW Verboort Road at about 10:50 a.m., deputies initiated an extensive search. Security footage captured her walking east, but limited video coverage in the sparsely populated area complicated efforts. The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team called for assistance from neighboring counties and agencies including Clackamas, Multnomah, Yamhill, Marion counties’ SAR teams as well as Portland Mountain Rescue and others. Community members provided numerous tips and dashcam footage that helped narrow down the timeline of events.
A tip received on March 31 led deputies to locate Jones safely in Hillsboro. The Sheriff’s Office thanked all participating agencies and especially those who called in tips or shared video evidence during the search. “SAR is an essential function of the Sheriff’s Office, comprised of deputy coordinators and youth cadets. SAR equips cadets, ages 14 to 17, with essential life skills and provides unique insights into career fields such as law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency medical services,” said officials.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Washington County in Oregon, providing patrols, criminal investigations and jail operations for more than 600,000 residents while engaging in community outreach according to its official website. It contributes to community well-being through safety education programs according to its official website, operates headquarters facilities including a county jail according to its official website, functions as part of county government according to its official website, focuses on serving with integrity according to its official website, and recently appointed Caprice Massey as its first female sheriff according to its official website.
The resolution of this case underscores how local law enforcement relies on both interagency cooperation and public participation when responding quickly to missing person cases.
