Echo Park Mental Health Facility Patients Sought
Both men are in need of medication, according to police
LAPD
Police released these photos of James Sheppard (left) and Christopher Bednar (right).
Police are assisting in the search for two men who were reported missing from a mental health facility in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles.
James Sheppard and Christopher Bednar left Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located at 1891 Effie St. (map), and never returned, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The incident was reported around 9:20 p.m. Thursday, according to police.
An earlier version of this story referred to the men as "escapees," although police clarified that the patients are free to leave the campus at any time. Sheppard and Bednar are in need of medication, hence the "apprehend-and-transport" request to police.
Sheppard was described as a 50-year-old white man with brown hair and eyes. He is 6 feet tall and weighs about 185 pounds.
Bednar was described as a 45-year-old white man with brown hair and blue eyes. He is just under 6 feet tall and weighs about 280 pounds.
Anyone with any information about the case was asked to LAPD Rampart Division detectives at 213-484-3440 or 213-484-3400.
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