Callie Ray Shouse’s family in Louisville breathed relief Thursday afternoon after the 24‑year‑old woman from nearby Waddy, Kentucky, was located safe following days of serious concern. Shouse had been reported missing after a routine phone call with a family member on March 18, when her exact location suddenly could not be confirmed. Authorities and loved ones had raised the alarm that she might be confused or struggling with her mental health, prompting widespread searches across the region.
Police said Shouse is white, about five feet tall and roughly 120 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last known to be in Louisville when her family lost contact, and because of possible mental health issues, officials urged the public to take any sightings seriously. Kentucky State Police had been asking for help identifying her whereabouts and encouraging locals to share information to help bring her home.
Family members described growing fear as hours passed without a message or call. Close friends in Shelby County said they knew Callie as a quiet person who sometimes struggled but was loved deeply by her community and family. For her relatives, the wait was painful, tense and marked by a desperate hope that she would be found safe.
Troopers with Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort took charge of the case, coordinating efforts with local Louisville officers and sheriff’s deputies. They communicated regularly with the family and continued searching public areas, parks and busy streets where she might have been spotted. Every tip mattered, and investigators followed up on leads throughout the night and into Thursday morning.
Then came the call that eased the fear: Shouse had been found safe in Louisville. Details of where she was discovered or her condition at the moment were not immediately released, but troopers confirmed she was no longer missing and that the immediate danger had passed. Family members rushed to be reunited with her, offering hugs and tears of relief as the community shared the news.
Officials reminded the public that even when someone is found, support is still necessary. They encouraged continued awareness around mental health struggles and urged friends and families to reach out to loved ones who might be vulnerable or in distress. Many in the community said they were grateful to the public for sharing posts, watching out and calling tips into law enforcement.
For now, the focus in Louisville and Shelby County is on Callie’s recovery and the support waiting for her at home. Her case, which had briefly drawn concern across social media and local news, ended with the best possible update: she is safe, surrounded by those who care for her and out of immediate harm’s way.
