A system for detecting an incontinence event includes a pad which is deployable on a mattress and which, as deployed, has a first conductor and a second conductor and in which the first conductor and the second conductor are not in electrical communication with each other. The system also incudes an RFID reader subsystem having a processor and an array of two or more spatially distributed antennas. The system is adapted to A) command transmission of energy from the antenna array at a variety of powers and at various frequencies, B) monitor the antenna array for a return signal resulting from the spatially and temporally varying transmission, and C) communicate a WET or DRY status to a destination. The WET or DRY status depends on a moisture status indicator of the return signal.