The Missing Denise Smith

The Missing
Denise Smith
Burlington County New Jersey
Woodland Township

Denise Smith was last seen leaving her home on Route 563 in the Chatsworth/Woodland area at about 1:15 am on Monday, October 9th, 2023. It is noted that Denise has a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury,) has aggressive seizures and behaves in ways similar to a person with dementia. Denise is considered harmless, she has low cognitive and verbal skills, and is probably disoriented, confused and scared. According to her husband, her medications were left at home and her chances of seizures are very high without them. She may say her name is Denise Johnson, which is her maiden name. She often says the phrase “I want to go home” when talking to anyone. She has trouble recognizing her family members.
Searches have taken place in the New Jersey Pinelands from Chatsworth to Pemberton, Shamong and Hammonton to Manahawkin without any luck of locating Denise. Local residents and hunters were asked to check their home security videos and trail cameras for any footage of Denise. Porches, garages, sheds, and cars were searched, with no further clues.
Denise is a white female, 5’ 1”- 5′ 6” in height and weighing 125 lbs with Brown/Gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and white sneakers as pictured above.
One article states that during the search, the K9 Unit lost her scent near a road in the Pine Barrens, where she is from.
Denise’s daughter Amoreena Marlin is afraid something may have happened to her mother. She is quoted saying, “She suffered a brain injury and has the capacity of a five year old.” She also theorizes that her mother could have been picked up by vehicle and was transported elsewhere.
Amoreena says Denise has disappeared before but was always found near a road. This time is different. She states the NJP did not issue a Silver Alert for her mom, but they say she is considered “endangered.” The family along with police have checked homeless shelters and are working on expanding the search.
A friend of Denise named Jen Sendbo said Denise was wearing an Apple air tag at the time but it only sends a ping within 33 feet of detection.
The search for Denise is ongoing.

If you have any further information on Denise’s whereabouts, please contact the NJSP Troop C Red Lion Station at 609-859-2282, or the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000 ext 2554.

Sources:

https://www-lps.state.nj.us/NJSP_Amber/MissingPersonDetail.jsp?mp_id=166427&type=mp

https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/endangered-burlington-county-woman-dementia-goes-missing

https://wfpg.com/pinelands-search-party-for-woman-with-traumatic-brain-injury/