Cranston police: Caregiver left autistic woman alone for nearly two hour nail salon visit | ABC6

Cranston police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 45-year-old Linda DaLomba, who is nonverbal and autistic. Surveillance footage captured DaLomba walking unattended on Pond Road and getting into a parked car. Concerns have emerged regarding the actions of her caregiver, Roberta Gerard, who reportedly failed to provide accurate information about DaLomba's whereabouts.

On March 19, Gerard admitted to leaving DaLomba alone in her car while she visited a nearby nail salon. She initially arrived at the salon at 12:48 p.m. and left at 2:32 p.m., returning home without reporting DaLomba missing until nearly four hours later. Police suggest that DaLomba exited Gerard’s vehicle in the salon parking lot and subsequently entered the parked car where she was later found.

Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael Winquist expressed frustration over the misinformation provided, stating that accurate details could have facilitated a quicker resolution to the search. DaLomba was located five days later in the parked car, which featured tinted windows that made her difficult to see. The discovery was made by Savong Sam, a mechanic from the Cranston Fire Department.

In light of the incident, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is advocating for a new statewide initiative called the "Linda Alert," aimed at enhancing search efforts for vulnerable adults who go missing. As the investigation continues, detectives believe that Gerard acted alone in relation to DaLomba's disappearance.

Gerard is currently facing multiple charges, including felony abuse of an adult with severe impairments, and is expected to return to court in June. Fortunately, DaLomba's health is reportedly improving as she remains hospitalized following her ordeal. The state attorney general's office has now taken charge of the ongoing investigation into the case.