Patient Escapes From Westport Mental Health Facility; Later Found: PD

WESTPORT, CT — A patient with "a history of behavioral health issues as well as domestic violence arrests" escaped from the St. Vincent's Behavioral Health facility in Westport Tuesday afternoon, prompting a temporary stay-indoors order from police.

The unnamed patient was found about an hour after absconding from the Long Lots Road facility and was returned without incident.

Westport police were alerted about the escapee at about 2:45 p.m.

"The person who absconded from the facility has a history of behavioral health issues as well as domestic violence arrests," wrote Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods in a statement. "This information as well as the time of day and school dismissal guided our response in issuing the Nixel alert, setting up a perimeter, deploying our drone team, and requesting a K-9. The party was also on probation and fitted with a mobile tracking bracelet."

With the help of Probation officials, the man was tracked to the area of Compo Road South where an off-duty police officer located and detained at about 3:35 p.m., before he was returned to the facility.

Westport Police will continue the investigation into this incident.