Porter County Sheriffs Police say an 80-year-old woman was pronounced dead of an apparent drowning Monday afternoon. Officers responded to East Division road for a missing woman with dementia who was last seen going to bed Sunday night. Several police and fire agencies including the Lake County Sheriffs helicopter began to search the area in the back of the residence for Ethel Bottom, who was later found in one of the ponds not far from her home. Police say there were no signs of foul play and this is believed to be an accidental drowning. Authorities say the woman was known to walk around the property and along some of the trails behind the residence. Assisting agencies included the Valparaiso Police Department, Morgan Township Fire Department, Washington Township Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff's Department., Porter County EMA, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Porter County Coroner's Office.
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