CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A missing woman who police say has autism and is non-verbal has been found nearly a week after she was reported missing, and her caregiver was arrested and is expected in court Monday. Cranston police say 45-year-old Linda Delomba was found safe Sunday. Colonel Michael W inquist said Delomba was found curled up in the back of a parked car in a residential neighborhood. The investigation started last Tuesday when Delomba’s caregiver, Roberta Gerard, went to the Cranston Police Department and told police she lost Delomba inside Burlington Coat Factory. “We wasted valuable time and assets and resources and learned that Ms. Delomba and Ms. Gerard never entered the Burlington Coat Factory,” said Chief Winquist. Police followed up with Gerard, at which point they say she came up with another story. Police said Gerard told detectives Delomba climbed out of her car while she was inside her home heating up food. “We knew that story probably wasn’t very accurate, we knew that the safety locks in that vehicle were activated in the rear,” said Chief Winquist. Sunday afternoon, a resident on Pond Street made a key discovery. Savong Sam is a mechanic for the Cranston Fire Department. He said a friend had asked him to take care of an SUV that was having problems starting up. “I grabbed the jump box, I opened the back door, put the jump box down, looked back and noticed there was a person laying down in the back of the vehicle,” said Sam. Sam contacted police, who arrived and identified the person as Delomba and took her to the hospital where they say she is doing well. Chief Winquist said police aren’t sure how she got in the back of the car, but her caregiver was arrested. Gerard is facing charges of abuse and exploitation of an adult with severe impairment, which is a felony. She was also charged with obstruction. Gerard is expected in court Monday morning. Categories: Cranston, News, Rhode Island ...read more read less