Missing Bronx Woman Found A Block Away From Home

Nicole 'Nicky' Sainten, 44

A 44-year-old Bronx woman with a history of mental problems who went missing from Empire City Casino in Yonkers September 29, 2012 has been found.

Nicole "Nicky" Sainten was found by two nephews early this morning about a block from their Bronx home, confused, dehydrated and weary from a weeklong journey on foot.

“She had no clue that she was gone for eight days,” Sainten’s sister, Lisa McGee, 49, said this morning. “I never gave up hope that this would have a happy ending.”

McGee’s sons, ages 22 and 27, were up late searching for their aunt when they decided to walk to a nearby store for food. It was on their way that they spotted her standing on a corner along Story Avenue.

Sainten had blisters on her feet from walking the eight miles from the Yonkers casino. Nobody had apparently given her shelter or a ride. She was dehydrated and told family members she fell a couple of times and had hit her head.

She was not carrying a cell phone but did have her ID in her jacket pocket. She was wearing the same clothes as when she disappeared – a navy blue jacket, denim jeans and black rain boots.

The family believes she was trying to make her way home the entire time.