Police searching for woman of diminished capacity

Air support and a bloodhound from the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the search for a disabled 25-year-old woman whose mother reported her missing from their home this morning. Historic City News readers are being asked to report any information concerning her whereabouts.

Margaret Mercer reported to deputies that her daughter, Caressa Lynnette Mercer, left their home sometime after 3:00 a.m. this morning. She was upset because her father, an over-the-road trucker, left on a trip for work and did not take her with him.

Although Mercer is 25-years-old, according to her mother, Caressa has the mental capacity of a 5 or 6-year-old child. She has run away several times in the past and has been located at restaurants and shelters. She is very trusting and willing to accept rides from anyone. Her mother is concerned for her safety.

Caressa, who no longer wears eyeglasses, is a white female, approximately 5’5” tall, 120 lbs., and has short blonde hair. She was last seen at the Kangaroo gas station located at the corner of Palm Coast Parkway Northeast and Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast at 6:10 a.m. this morning. At that time, she was wearing dark blue sweatpants, a brown hooded jacket, white sneakers with blue trim, and was carrying several Winn Dixie shopping bags.

Deputies have been conducting an extensive ground and air search for the woman since she was reported missing. She has been entered as missing and endangered in State and National missing person databases, according to Public Information Officer, Commander Bob Weber.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477. Calls made to Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and you may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.