Trooper finds prisoner who escaped local hospital: Report

SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) — A man who was let out of incarceration for treatment at a local hospital briefly escaped before being taken back into custody.

Brandon Dunn Jr., 39, was incarcerated in the Columbiana County Jail on failure to appear on a warrant and an obstruction charge, according to Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin. But on Sunday night, he was taken to Salem Regional Hospital for treatment after informing jail staff he was having chest pains, according to a report from the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office.

While at the emergency room, a GPS tracking bracelet was placed on his ankle, the report states. Authorities told Dunn if he attempted to leave the hospital, he would be charged with escape. Reports state Dunn agreed and signed a patient classification form.

However, a report from the Salem Police Department states Dunn removed the monitoring bracelet and escaped the hospital.

The Salem Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol were called in to assist with locating Dunn.

After about an hour of searching, a trooper with the Lisbon Post of OSHP found Dunn hiding inside a vehicle in a hotel parking lot on Cunningham Road, reports state.

Dunn was taken into custody and returned to the Columbiana County Jail.

Jerica Rogers contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.