'Violent Person' Who Escaped State Hospital Found: Tewksbury Police

TEWKSBURY, MA — Police safely located a violent person who escaped from Tewksbury State Hospital this past weekend.

Tewksbury police received a call from Tewksbury State Hospital police at 3:55 p.m. Sunday reporting that a court-committed patient was missing. Tewksbury police were given a description of the person and told the patient had a history of violence.

The patient was last seen on the hospital campus at 3:15 p.m. Police had also received information that the patient was possibly seen in front of the 99 Restaurant on Main Street.

Police responded and found the patient shortly after their arrival. State hospital police responded as well and transported the patient to the hospital.

Police said that because the patient was located quickly, an alert to the public wasn't necessary.

It's unclear how the patient escaped, according to police.

Tewksbury police are working to address safety concerns relating to the hospital and its impact on Tewksbury police resources.

“We will continue to monitor this situation and voice our concerns about the safety and security of the hospital to ensure the safety of our residents,” Police Chief Ryan Columbus said in a statement.