Patient with ‘history of violence’ found after escaping Florida hospital: report

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Police have located the man who escaped a Florida hospital who was being held for a mandatory mental health evaluation, according to NBC affiliate WPTV .

On Tuesday, Fort Pierce police told WPTV the man was receiving the mandatory evaluation at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, located at 1700 South 23rd Street in Fort Pierce, under a Baker Act hold.

Around 6:30 p.m., police announced they found Richard Caldwell near a marshy area at Okeechobee Road and I-95, WPTV reported. He initially went missing around 10 a.m.

A nearby school, Indian River State College, reportedly sent an alert around 11:30 a.m., warning the public that the man was headed eastbound toward US-1.

“A helicopter has been deployed to search for the patient in the area,” the alert said, according to WPTV.

Police said the man has a history of violence, but that there was no danger to the community.

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