Sheriff's Office: Missing Md. Woman Found In Va. Left Willingly

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (WJZ) -- Authorities believed she disappeared under suspicious circumstances, but now a missing Frederick County mother and wife has been found safe and sound.

Derek Valcourt has more on where she was and what happened to her.

Police say she made a choice to leave her family behind willingly, but why? Right now, her family and police just aren't saying.

Forty-nine-year-old Teresa Lentz called home to her husband Tuesday night from a convenience store in Spotsylvania County, Va.

"She just simply left and after seven days, she contacted her family to let them know that she was doing fine that and that she was in Virginia," said Frederick County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jennifer Bailey.

Lentz was reported missing last Wednesday when she failed to come home from an afternoon running errands. Her car was found abandoned near railroad tracks; her husband and two kids feared the worst.

"This has been so overwhelming for my family," said her daughter, Shawna Lentz.

Police thoroughly searched in wooded areas and friends and family held prayer vigils for her safe return.

"God knows where she is and God will prevail," said one person who attended a vigil.

Police say she just walked away from her car and say it appears she spent the last week alone in Virginia--though right now, investigators aren't saying why.

Every day stressors were a leading factor in why she may have left, but investigators aren't releasing much more.

Through police, the Lentz family released a statement saying, "At this time, we would like everyone to know we are in a family crisis situation and that we just need privacy at this time."

The sheriff's office says while there appears to have been no criminal intent on Teresa Lentz's part, the case remains under investigation and they haven't ruled out any charges.

Police say they will not be providing any further details on this case.