Public Safety

Baker Act patient located after escape from Niceville hospital

Officers from Niceville Police Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office tracked the individual through Turkey Creek before locating them near Bayou Plaza.

Jared Williams

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A Baker Act patient who escaped from HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital on June 4 was safely located and taken into custody after a multi-agency search through Turkey Creek and surrounding waterways, according to the Niceville Police Department.

Officers responded to the hospital at approximately 4:15 p.m. after the patient escaped from the facility. Officers from the Niceville Police Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office searched the area, and an OCSO deputy spotted the individual near the north entrance of Turkey Creek.

Sergeant Pond, K9 Kodi, Inspector Teets and OCSO Corporal Biernacki began tracking the individual while other officers and deputies established a perimeter around Turkey Creek.

K9 Kodi tracked the individual south through the woods toward Highway 20. The individual entered the water near the main Turkey Creek entrance and was later seen floating under the Highway 20 bridge by a witness.

With assistance from OCSO’s Drone, K9 and Marine units, the individual was located near the dock behind Dollar General in Bayou Plaza.

The individual resisted being taken into custody but was ultimately detained and transported to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.

The Niceville Police Department extended its appreciation to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in resolving the incident.

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