JAMES CITY COUNTY — As of 12:36 p.m. on Monday, April 26, the patient that eloped from Eastern State Hospital is still missing.
RELATED STORY: Local police help in search after patient escapes Eastern State Hospital
On Tuesday, April 20 at approximately 4:00 a.m., a patient described as a male in his 30’s from the City of Norfolk, eloped from Eastern State Hospital. State and local police departments were notified and deployed to aid in efforts to locate the patient. However, as of yet, the patient has not been located.
It is still unclear as to who has jurisdiction to search for this individual and if there is an active investigation underway to locate his whereabouts. Meghan McGuire, spokesperson for Eastern State Hospital, told WYDaily that the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (VDBHDS), which is the state government agency in charge of the hospital, does not have the resources to conduct an active investigation and search for patients that elope. She said that the hospital fills out warrants and files them with the state police.
RELATED STORY: Still no word on patient that escaped Eastern State Hospital
However, Sgt. Michelle Anaya, spokesperson for the Virginia State Police (VSP), says that VSP does not have an active investigation in this case and that it is the responsibility of VDBHDS to conduct a search for the patient.
When WYDaily inquired with McGuire on Monday, April 26, she advised our publication to inquire with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. In doing so, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office also said that they did not have an active investigation nor was the department a point of contact in this matter. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office stated that Eastern State Hospital was the point of contact regarding this matter.
RELATED STORY: VSP releases statement regarding patient that eloped from Eastern State Hospital
As of 4:11 p.m. on Monday, April 26, McGuire nor Eastern State Hospital have returned a follow up request regarding this matter.
Due to state and federal patient privacy laws, a more detailed description of the patient cannot be released.
WYDaily will continue to keep you informed on the latest news regarding this story.
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