Missing deaf, mute woman found on NYC subway

NEW YORK - The family of Samantha Denise Primus is celebrating after the deaf, non-verbal, and autistic 47-year-old woman was found in New York City's subway system. 

According to Denise's sister, she was found on the 1 train on Saturday and is being taken to Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn to be checked out.

Samantha Denise Primus, just after she was found on the New York City subway. (Credit: The Primus Family)

Primus had gone missing when she wandered away from a relative's home in Elmont, Nassau County on December 23. 

Her family had been searching for her ever since, organizing a large search party on Sunday to look in neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.

"I think we're all doing our best and keeping our hopes up and remaining optimistic and diligent in our search and trying to do everything within our power," said Jonathan Peck, Denise's nephew told FOX 5 NY before she was found. 

The Primus family had previously been frustrated by the report that hours after her initial disappearance, an ambulance picked up a woman matching her description and dropped her off at Queens Hospital Center. 

A doctor evaluated that woman and then let her go back out into the streets. 

A hospital spokesperson says they are still looking into the matter.