SOMERSET, NJ — A New Jersey family and police are searching for 71-year-old Belinda Prentice, who has been missing for nearly two weeks and is believed to have early signs of dementia. She was last seen at the ShopRite on Elizabeth Avenue in Franklin Township, according to relatives and local authorities.
Family members say they reported Prentice missing on Oct. 7 after doing a welfare check. Police later said a neighbor had seen her two days earlier near her Bamburg Court home in Somerset. Since then, investigators and relatives have been trying to trace her movements, but they say the trail has gone cold.
Family says signs of confusion had raised concern before she vanished
Prentice’s granddaughter, Sienna, said the family had been watching her closely because of earlier concerns about memory and confusion. She said the family had dealt with several silver alerts over the past couple of years as Prentice’s behavior became more unpredictable.
Sienna said the family knew her grandmother could still drive, which made the situation harder to track. Relatives noticed things had become unusually quiet, then went to check on her and found she was gone. Family members now say they are trying to collect as much information as possible to piece together what happened before she disappeared.
One relative said Prentice seemed to have “vanished into thin air,” underscoring how little has been confirmed since the last sightings. The family has continued to press forward even as time passes without a clear answer.
Multiple agencies joined the search around her home and surrounding fields
Franklin Township police said the search has involved several agencies, including help from the Department of Corrections and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said a bloodhound and a canine were brought in as part of the effort.
Police also said they searched Prentice’s house and the fields nearby, and used a drone with thermal imaging. Investigators checked her cell phone as well, but said it was at home when they tried to track it.
Even with those steps, authorities have not been able to locate her. Police said they have received numerous tips, but none has led them to Prentice so far.
Police and relatives are asking the public for camera footage and tips
Because Prentice has dementia, her family is urging the public not to approach her if she is spotted. Instead, they want anyone who sees her to take a photo and call police right away so officers can respond safely.
The Franklin Township Police Department is also asking residents and businesses to review security camera footage for anything that might help fill in the missing timeline. Relatives said they are expanding their own search by checking areas along Hamilton Street and continuing toward New Brunswick.
They also plan to contact local businesses in those areas, hoping someone may have seen Prentice or recorded her on video. Family members say every new lead matters, even if it only confirms a small part of her route.
Relatives say they are holding onto hope as the search stretches on
Despite the uncertainty, the family says it is not giving up. Prentice’s granddaughter described her as sharp and resilient, even with cognitive problems, and said the family still believes she can be found.
She said her grandmother is “the smartest person” she knows and expressed the family’s deep wish to bring her home. That message has become the center of the public appeal as the search continues across Franklin Township and nearby areas.
For now, the case remains active, with police continuing to ask for information from anyone who may have seen Prentice near her home, the ShopRite, or elsewhere in the township.
What investigators know so far about Belinda Prentice's disappearance
Prentice was last seen at the ShopRite on Elizabeth Avenue, while a neighbor reported seeing her near her Bamburg Court home two days before the missing-person report was filed. Those are the key known points in the timeline police and family have shared publicly.
The family reported her missing on Oct. 7 after checking on her, and since then the search has included drones, dogs, and multiple agencies. Authorities have not said that any evidence points to foul play or to a specific destination.
Until there is a confirmed sighting or a credible lead, police and relatives are relying on the public to help close the gap. They say even a short video clip or a quick photo could make a difference in finding her.
How residents can help if they spot her or have information
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Franklin Township police. Officials want residents and businesses to review doorbell cameras, security systems, and any footage that might show Prentice walking in the area.
If she is seen, family members are asking people not to approach her because of her dementia. Instead, they want the public to stay at a safe distance, take a photo if possible, and immediately alert authorities.
The search remains focused on finding her alive and safely bringing her home. For the family, each passing day has made the need for public help more urgent.