DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Heartbroken but hopeful, a DeKalb County family is continuing to search for their loved one.
Rosa Mae Dawson, also known as "Rose," is an 80-year-old woman with dementia. Dekalb County Police said she disappeared nearly a week ago. Her family is praying for her safe return.
Her son, Ricky Dawson, said just looking at her picture makes him miss her.
"I just wish I could just hug her," Ricky said. "Seven days I've been without my mother and haven't been able to talk to her, reach out to her."
Ricky said he hadn't heard from his 80-year-old mother since last Wednesday, Nov. 13. The last anyone knew, she should've been at her home on the 2400 block of Jenay Court.
"My aunt, who comes over and spends the day with her, came over, and the door was open, and she wasn't here. They couldn't find her. They went over to a couple of the neighbors' houses thinking she might've just walked over there, and she wasn't there," Ricky said.
She was gone without a trace. Rose's family called the police right away and have been searching every day since.
"We're a family, so we take care of each other first. I couldn't do this without everyone's support. We went out Saturday, a big search party to find her," Ricky said.
Ricky said his mom is fun-loving and caring. She has dementia but still knows where she lives and can identify her family. Ring cameras in the neighborhood never captured her leaving that day.
"The worst part is the not knowing. Not knowing where she is, the weather being cold and rainy -- just hoping that she's safe," he said.
But he has hope he'll see her again. They've handed out hundreds of flyers across the community and put them on polls around the neighborhood.
Police issued a Mattie's Call last Wednesday when Rose was reported missing, but it didn't alert everyone's phones. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the law enforcement agency must issue a statewide broadcast to law enforcement/911 centers and contact local media regarding the missing person.
"In my heart, I believe she will be home safe. I miss her, and I love her. I just want to hold her again," he said.
As police continue investigating, they want people to know Rosa Mae is 5'1, 140lbs, with brown eyes and black hair. She was in a pink long-sleeved pajama pants set and black shoes. If you see her, call SVU at 770-724-7710.