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Mental Hospital Patients Leave Facility in Echo Park
Photo by Uncle Rhea via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Two men went missing from an Echo Park mental hospital today, and police are hoping for the public's help in finding them.
NBC Los Angeles reports that James Sheppard and Christopher Bednar were both reported to be gone from the Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center at around 9:20 p.m. yesterday. Since they're free to leave, they aren't considered to have escaped, per say. But since both also need medication and are believed to not be on it, police have been advised to apprehend and transport the men back to Gateways if they're found.
One more thing: KTLA describes Bednar as an "accused murderer," saying:
Christopher Bednar, may have a criminal record and may have been arrested on charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Sheppard is being described as white, about 185 pounds and six feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He's 50 years old.
Bednar is described as also white, weighing about 280 pounds and just under six feet tall. Bednar is 45 and has brown hair and blue eyes.