Deaf woman with autism found safe after missing for three weeks

15 January 2023 , 18:12

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Samantha Primus' face sparked with joy when she recognised her sister, Sophia Primus (Image: CBS New York)

A deaf and mute woman with autism was found in the New York subway three weeks after she was reported missing.

Samantha Primus, 47, was thankfully found safe and well and reunited with her family, but the incident has sparked outrage against hospital workers who reportedly released her with nothing but a list of homeless shelters.

The woman left her home on December 23, and a few hours later, she was spotted by a paramedic spotted who brought her to Queens Hospital Center.

One of her seven sisters, Sophia Primus, said: "Upon discharging her on the 24th of December, at 2 a.m. Christmas Eve, she was lost again."

Samantha's family was searching for her in agony for three weeks, and they believe she was riding the train for much of that time, trying to get home.

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Samantha Primus was found safe after her family and loved ones searched for her for three weeks (CBS New York)

When she was finally found by a family friend, she looked lost and frail, and her clothes were wet, her loved ones said.

But her face sparked with joy when she recognised one of her sisters, Ghislaine Primus, who said: "I pulled my hat off and she saw my face, and she was just, it was just happiness."

Sophia Primus claimed that the hospital should not have discharged her. She said: "She had all the red flags that called for attention. Mute, unable to express herself, sick, no ID.

"If they had done their duty, my sister would not have gone through these horrendous three weeks in the cold. An apology will never be enough. We wonder what hearts and heads work at this hospital."

Samantha's sister, Sophia Primus, denounced the actions of Queens Medical Centre (CBS New York)

The family is now pursuing legal action against the hospital, claiming their beloved Samantha's needs were neglected, the New York Post reported.

The family’s lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, said: "If the Nassau County police report is accurate, then clearly this hospital was not only negligent but heartless, and appropriate legal action will be instituted.

"The city has to be held accountable for the actions of those who work for them in their hospitals."

Samantha Primus' family believe she rode the train for most of the time, trying to get home (CBS New York)

Queens Hospital responded to a request for comment from CBS2 saying: "NYC Health + Hospitals provides high-quality care to all its patients. We see patients who need various levels of care in all our emergency departments and afford them the confidentiality of treatment as the law provides."

Samantha now remains under observation at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and she is being treated for dehydration and a leg injury.

Vassia Barba