A 94-year-old mother was released safely from Winnipeg

The mother of the son of an elderly woman who went missing from a nursing home is doing well.

Bessie Johnson, 94, ran away from an assisted living facility in Riverbend on Sunday.

To the surprise of the police and everyone involved in the search, Bessie was found seeking refuge in a garage on the other side of town in St Vital.

His son, Victor Johnson, and his wife were grateful to find him safe.

“The weather was bad, and if he went for a walk … this place is right by the river,” Victor said. “A lot has crossed your mind.”

Johnson was last seen in the Riverbend area Sunday at 4 p.m., walking eastbound over the Head of Peguis Bridge.

According to Victor, he and his family started looking for his mother soon after hearing about her disappearance. After a sleepless night, Bessie was found.

Police believe she may have gotten into an unlocked car at some point and unknowingly driven it to the St. Vital home where her owners found it the next morning.

Police are still trying to figure out how Bessie ended up in the unlocked car.

“I think at the end of the day, if we can't figure out exactly how it happened, we're very grateful that he's alive and well,” said Const. Natalie Aiken.

Doctors are monitoring Bessie at the hospital, but she is doing well.

Victor said he would like to see security at the front door of Bessie's residence in the future to ensure this does not happen again.

He says that at 94 years old, his mother does not remember much about what happened.

Victor thanked everyone who helped look for his mother, saying he knew things could have been worse.

“The man upstairs looks after him a lot,” said Victor. “He should take special care of her.”