Children Escape from Psychiatric Hospital in North Carolina

On Sunday night, seven child patients managed to escape from a psychiatric hospital in North Carolina, leading to a nearly three-hour search involving police dogs and drones.

The incident took place at Holly Hill Hospital’s South Campus around 8:05 PM, as indicated by Raleigh Police. The facility, located near WAKEMED Hospital on Sunnybrook Road, provides treatment for mental health and addiction issues.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered that seven boys had fled the facility on foot, prompting a significant search operation throughout East Raleigh. The K-9 unit utilized drones to scout the area from above, following tracks through the neighborhood. Assistance was requested from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, State Capitol Police, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.

By 10:50 PM, officers announced that all seven children had been captured. They reported that the boys were not armed and did not pose a threat to the community.

This wasn’t the first serious incident at the hospital; last December, a violent fight involving over 20 girls broke out, resulting in injuries. During that altercation, police noted that the girls were punching, kicking, and throwing chairs at each other.

Holly Hill Hospital serves as both an inpatient and outpatient treatment center. However, the facility has remained silent regarding security protocols or how the escape occurred.

Authorities have yet to disclose the ages of the escapees or the cause of the disturbance that prompted their flight. Questions about potential penalties or security enhancements at the hospital following this and previous incidents remain unanswered as the investigation continues.