Neighbors help Eastern State Hospital wanderer

Published 2:20 pm Thursday, March 29, 2012

MEDICAL LAKE — Officials at Eastern State Hospital say they’re taking steps to prevent more mentally ill patients from wandering away from the institution at Medical Lake.

A man who was missing about a half-hour Monday was found wet and cold in a neighbor’s yard. He was invited inside and given a blanket to warm up.

The Department of Social and Health Services told KREM that the man had been civilly committed for mental health treatment and not as a result of a crime.

Hospital neighbors said the incident raises concerns about escapes, and Eastern State officials say they’re taking the matter very seriously.