By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
March 9, 2001
A patient who walked away from East Mississippi State Hospital, became lost in a wooded area of Collinsville and led authorities on an afternoon manhunt was found Thursday in Neshoba County.
Maj. Ward Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said Mike Jones of Smith County has been returned safely to the Meridian hospital.
Jones led Lauderdale County authorities on a three-hour search through the woods between Wildcat and Center Hill-Martin roads Wednesday eluding deputies, more than 20 volunteer firefighters and a K-9 officer.
Jones was spotted early Thursday near Highway 19 North just inside the Neshoba County line, Calhoun said. Neshoba authorities picked him up and gave him a ride back to Lauderdale County.
The patient had lost his shirt while running from authorities in the Collinsville woods, but had managed to obtain a sweatshirt overnight, Calhoun said.
Lauderdale County deputies issued an alert for Jones Wednesday.
Calhoun said authorities believe Jones became lost while trying to find his way home. Officials with East Mississippi State Hospital issued a call for Jones' return shortly after they discovered he was missing.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.