UPDATE: Fargo police say Amber Lee Paulson has been found

FARGO – Amber Lee Paulson was finishing up her sixth year as a licensed practical nurse two years ago at Eventide senior living center here.

To all outward appearances, the bright, articulate Paulson was living a successful life.

But underneath, she was battling depression, anxiety and alcoholism, and finally, she called her mother, Mary Bommersbach, to confess how bad it had gotten.

“Just – something broke inside her,” said Bommersbach, fighting back tears.

The 26-year-old Paulson has been missing since July 23, when Bommersbach dropped her off early that morning at the Southeast Human Services Center for her daily appointment.

She called later that night to tell Bommersbach she was spending the night at a male friend’s house, but she hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

“She’s very bright and articulate and beautiful,” Bommersbach said, followed by a long pause. “But she’ll hang out with – not the greatest people in the world.”

It’s been 12 days of anguish and worry for Paulson’s family, who contacted Fargo police Monday afternoon to report her as a missing vulnerable adult.

Not only was Paulson not checking in daily with Southeast but she also had none of her medications, they reported.

Fargo police Lt. Mike Mitchell said police began searching for Paulson and added her to the National Crime Information Center as a missing person in the event she’s discovered in another state.

“The earlier we get the report, the better,” said Mitchell, who said Paulson’s family had made the right call in putting out their plea for help and posting Paulson’s picture on Facebook and other social media sites. “We have seen the power of social media and how quickly something goes viral.”

On Tuesday, with no sign of her daughter, the anguish was clear in Bommersbach’s voice.

She described her daughter as 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, about 140 pounds, with long blond hair and hazel eyes.

Paulson was staying with her mother, and when she got out of the car the morning of July 23, she was wearing Bommersbach’s long-sleeved, light-colored print blouse with a pair of black leggings, and had a large, dark-colored purse.

If you spot her, or have any information about where she may be, call Fargo police at (701) 235-4493.