With No Security, Man Flees Hospital
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - 6:55pm
By:
Dana Thayer
Photojournalist:
Kristian Tharaldson
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
DULUTH - Police are still on the lookout for a man who fled a Duluth hospital last week.
Since then, the man has been active on his Facebook page, making comments about how he got out.
The last time Dennis Yeazle, 23, was seen he was running down 4th Ave. E with a hospital gown on and an I.V. in his left hand.
Recentactivity on his Facebook has since shared his opinions on how he got out.
Yeazle was picked up on April 29 at a traffic stop for violating his probation from an aggravated robbery charge in 2010.
He found himself in the hospital the next day, after telling police he swallowed heroin.
But instead of waiting for the police to pick him back up, he fled Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center.
Four days later, a post on his Facebook wall said:
"That's what happens when they don't send a guard with you and the cop leaves and no one is watching door period what would you do sit and wait and go to jail or walk the f*** out easy answer."
Essentia officials said they are not to blame and that it is law enforcement's job to watch over people on what they call "police holds" if they wish to do so.
Duluth Police said because the charges were not severe, they did not assign an officer to watch Yeazle; and they have dropped people off at the hospital before without problems picking them back up.
Neither organization made indications Wednesday that they would be reviewing or changing security procedures.
Since last week's incidents, police have still been unable to locate Yeazle, but said he is not a risk to the community.
Anyone with more information is asked to call 911.