MISSING: Officials move into day 5 of search for missing woman | Crime

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – It's been five days since 83-year-old Alma Lawson went missing from her home in the Long Grove Subdivision.

Detectives from multiple divisions of the police department are working with the fire department and New Hanover County Sheriff's Office to search around the clock for Lawson and have not found any evidence of where she may be in the area.

The Wilmington Fire Department launched their boat into Burnt Mill Creek for yet another time Thursday. They're using a sonar scan which picks up large objects along the floor of the creek.

The search crews got a late start Sunday night because of rainy weather conditions. A Silver Alert was issued for Lawson 24 hours after her son, Ahmed, reported her missing to police.

[Listen to the 911 call here]

According to Ahmed, Lawson has early on-set dementia and was not acting herself on Sunday. He said she got up on Sunday morning and decided to not go to church, which he said was very unusual. Lawson ended up walking down the 1500 block of Stanley Street to a friend 's house. She reportedly left the house a little before 5 p.m. but never made it home.

Ahmed made a series of three 911 calls to police. In the first call, he describes the last time he saw his mother. In the following two calls, he asks dispatch officials why he hasn't heard anything more from police about his first call.

The colder weather is playing a key role on the search for Lawson. Right now, detectives do not suspect foul play in her disappearance.

In a press conference held Wednesday afternoon, detectives said the colder the weather the less likely it is for them to find her alive.

The Lawson family is having a tough time dealing with her disappearance and is hoping for some closure as soon as possible.

The Wilmington Police Department intends to continue the search for her until further notice.

If anyone has any information, please contact the WPD at 343-3600.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.