A 31-year-old male patient escaped from Lakewood, Wash.-based Western State Hospital Monday and was captured about an hour later, according to an Associated Press report published by The Register-Guard.
The escape occurred around 1:45 p.m., when the patient was with a group of other patients being escorted by hospital staff. Lakewood police Lt. Chris Lawler said hospital staff discovered the man was gone when they reached their destination, according to the report.
The patient, whose name was not disclosed, was being held on a 180-day civil commitment.
"He was considered gravely disabled and flagged as a threat to himself and others," Lt. Lawler said, according to the report. "We were also told he was on active supervision from the Department of Corrections."
The patient was eventually found near a public library in Steilacoom, Wash. He was taken into custody about 3:05 p.m. and returned to the hospital, according to the report.
Officials believe the patient left the group of other patients via an unlocked door while being taken from a treatment area to a fenced outside activity zone.
The escape comes more than a month after two patients deemed "dangerous" — Anthony Garver, 28, and Mark Alexander Adams, 58 — escaped April 6 from the psychiatric hospital. Police caught Mr. Adams in Des Moines, Wash., the next morning. However, Mr. Garver made it to Spokane, Wash., before he was caught April 8.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) fired the CEO of Western State Hospital after Mr. Garver and Mr. Adams escaped.