Escaped Hospital Patient Sought in Morris Found Near Pa. Border

A man wearing a blue hospital gown went missing Thursday morning, spurring a day-long search by local and state police, but was found late in the day in Hope Township in Warren County.

The patient, Daniel Steffener, 28, was last seen at approximately 5:41 a.m. at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Sgt. Darren Tynan said. Local and state police then began a manhunt in western Morris County and eastern Warren County for him.

Police had warned that due to Steffener’s mental status, anyone who came in contact with him was urged not to approach him, and to call 9-1-1.

Late in the day New Jersey State Police Troopers found Steffener safe at a residence in Hope Township, Tynan said.

It is not currently known how police located him at the residence, Tynan said.

Pictured: Daniel Steffener. Photo Courtesy Hackettstown Police Department