A Viola woman who went missing from her workplace earlier this week has been found.

Sedgwick Co. Sheriff's Capt. Mike Oliver said Joyce Patterson, 48, was found unharmed at about 10:30 p.m. last night in the 8700 Blk. of N. Parkmont.

Patterson met with investigators for several hours, and left the Sedgwick County Courthouse after 2:00 p.m.

Oliver said the woman was taken against her will earlier this week and dropped off at the Parkmont location by who they believe is the suspect in this case. Investigators said Patterson suffered some minor injuries, but is in good condition.

At a morning news conference, Sheriff's investigators revealed Patterson told them she was kidnapped from the Viola convenience store, during a robbery. She told investigators she was blindfolded, and does not know where she was held. Patterson also told investigators her captor would tie her up whenever he left the house.

Investigators said Patterson told them the man who kidnapped her had a black dog named "Zeus" or "Seuss" that weighed 70 to 80 pounds, and he lived near railroad tracks.

Investigators said the suspect watched news reports about Patterson, felt sorry for her, and dropped her at a pastor's house.

KAKE's Cayle Thompson spoke to the Patterson family's pastor early Friday. The pastor said the family is ecstatic and relieved over the news of Joyce's safe return.

She was reported missing from a convenience store just north of Viola Monday afternoon. About 45 minutes later, the store manager went to check on her, then reported her missing.

Authorities are searching for a white man, 6-feet-tall, 300 pounds. He was driving in a small gray blue car with a missing passenger seat. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

More information is expected in this case at a news conference later this morning.