Community unites, finds missing Marshall County woman in cornfield

This story begins at the end of a 2-hour search for Margaret Smith. The 81-year old was rushed to the hospital by helicopter after spending 3 hours lying in a cornfield Tuesday. Family says Margaret suffers from dementia and wandered into the field. Wednesday morning, a hospital spokesman said Smith was stable.

But it was a tense afternoon for the Smith family and if not for their community, there could have been a much different outcome.

When Margaret’s husband returned home earlier in the day, she was nowhere to be found. He called police and it didn't take long for word to spread through the rural community that Margaret was missing.

Neighbors, fire crews and police from as far away as Bremen joined the family in the search. They checked nearby homes, called Smith's church, and combed the fields around her home. Marshall County Police called in air support from MedFlight and Indiana State Police.

No method of searching was turned away, even a huge farm sprayer and its 15-year old operator.

With Evan Davenport behind the wheel, several people climbed aboard the tall machine. Slowly moving through the cornfield behind the Smith home, the group had the perfect vantage point. About 200-yards out, Dave Caverly banged on the tractor window. They found Margaret.

"We got down and started knocking corn down and got over and found her and she was talking and everything,” said Caverly. “Just glad she's OK."

A sentiment shared by everyone involved in her rescue and a huge sense of gratitude from her family.

"We're just thankful they found her,” said Mark Smith, Margaret’s son. “We've been thinking that something like this might happen someday and just glad it turned out the way it did."

There's a strong connection between everyone in the community that goes far beyond just being neighbors.

"We all look out for each other,” said Caverly. “There's too much going on out in the world and if we can't depend on each other than who can we depend on?"