Florida Mother and Children Found Safe After Cross-State Search Fueled by Bombing Fears
By News Desk
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — A Florida mother and her two young children were found safe Sunday after a multi-state search was launched when she fled her home, driven by an unfounded fear that U.S. cities faced imminent bombing, authorities confirmed.
Erica Lynn Brown, 37, was reported missing earlier this week after leaving her Florida residence with her 5-year-old and 18-month-old children. According to law enforcement statements reported by local NBC and ABC affiliates, Brown was believed to be in a "manic and delusional" state, specifically expressing fears of impending bomb attacks on American urban centers. Her mother reportedly told investigators she did not believe Brown was currently capable of caring for the children.
An official Missing and Endangered Person alert was issued, noting Brown was likely attempting to reach Canada via Minnesota. She was last believed to have crossed from Wisconsin into Illinois on Saturday afternoon in a 2016 white Hyundai Accent.
The Wisconsin Dells Police Department (WDPD), which helped coordinate the search, canceled the alert on Sunday, February 1, confirming Brown and her children were located unharmed. Authorities have not disclosed the specific location or circumstances of their discovery.
While the incident ended safely, it highlights the challenges law enforcement and families face when mental health crises manifest in ways that prompt sudden, cross-jurisdictional movements. Such cases often require coordination between multiple agencies and the public to ensure a swift resolution.
Public Reaction:
"Thank God the kids are okay," said Michael Torres, a social worker from Madison. "This is clearly a mental health emergency, not a criminal one. It underscores how desperately we need better crisis intervention systems and support for families before situations escalate."
"What a terrifying ordeal for those babies and the family left worrying," commented Sarah Chen, a parent from Milwaukee. "I'm just relieved it ended without physical harm. It's a reminder to check in on loved ones who might be struggling silently."
"This is a massive waste of police resources," argued David K. Miller, a local business owner, striking a more critical tone. "While I'm glad they're safe, this delusional flight across state lines tied up multiple agencies. It feels like the system failed to provide help before it reached this drastic, headline-grabbing point. Who's accountable for that?"
PEOPLE magazine has reached out to the Wisconsin Dells Police Department for further comment.