a garment diaper detector for detecting wetness conditions in diapers or undergarments comprising a capacitive sensor located within a housing and affixed to the exterior surface of the garment being monitored . the sensor is comprised of two substantially solid , coplanar conductor plates affixed to a common substrate and has a very high dynamic range . the inside of the garment becomes wet , the capacitance between the spaced conductors rises above a predetermined value whereupon the detector provides an output to a transmitter or an alarm . when the garment is being changed , the detector is removed from the exterior surface of the garment for reuse on the next . in one embodiment of the invention , multiple , uniquely addressed wetness detectors are employed to monitor the wetness conditions in a plurality of garments , such as in a hospital or nursing home . when a garment becomes wet , that unique address is transmitted to a central monitoring station which dispatches a care giver to change the garment . additionally , the central monitoring station may be equipped with a modem which communicates the address of wet garments to pagers worn by care givers .