Missing Fairhaven woman Anapaula Huggins found alive on jetty

FAIRHAVEN - Fairhaven Police say missing mother Anapaula Huggins has been found alive.

"We are happy to announce Anapaula Huggins has been found by Police Units alive," the department posted to Facebook Tuesday afternoon.

Massachusetts State Police said the mother of two was found on "a rock jetty that extends well out into New Bedford Harbor." She was taken to a hospital for evaluation. 

"Right now we just want to make sure she gets the help that she needs," Police Lt. Kevin Kobza told reporters. "It was a cold night, we want to make sure she's not suffering from hypothermia, frostbite or those types of injuries." 

The 43-year-old was reported missing Monday morning and had last been seen walking her dog on the beach in the area of Pope Beach on Manhattan Avenue. Animal control found the dog around 9:30 a.m. but there was no sign of Huggins. 

At a news conference earlier Tuesday afternoon, Kobza said Huggins was not wearing any shoes, but added "that's not out of the ordinary" for her when she walks her dog. They had asked residents in the area to review any home surveillance footage.

Family friend Michael Sims told WBZ-TV it's very overwhelming.

"This is uncharacteristic for Ana," he said. "Everybody who knows Ana knows that she's not going to leave her kids at the house like that." 

Kobza said authorities were searching air, sea and land and added that the U.S. Coast Guard was also using side scan sonar.