Escaped Oregon State Hospital Patient Captured in Washington

Aaron Smith was admitted to the state psychiatric hospital from Clackamas County in November 2002 following an assault conviction.

Salem-News.com

(SPOKANE, Wash. ) - A 30-year old Oregon State Hospital forensic patient who left unauthorized during a southeast Portland-area transitional facility visit was arrested without incident Wednesday evening in the Spokane, Washington area after a nearly one week investigation led police to a relative's home where the man was staying.

Aaron Smith, age 30, a forensic patient from Oregon State Hospital's Salem campus, was reported by hospital officials June 7th to law enforcement agencies as being on unauthorized leave after he left the facility where he was attending classes to help transition him into the community.

The Portland facility was located in the 2400 block of S.E. 43rd Avenue.

Smith was admitted to the state psychiatric hospital from Clackamas County in November 2002 following an assault conviction.

An Oregon State Police detective was assigned to investigate Smith's escape.

A felony warrant was issued through Marion County Circuit Court for Escape in the Second Degree.

The detective developed information indicating Smith may be in the Spokane area.

Spokane Police were notified Wednesday of the investigation and information that may assist in locating Smith.

On June 13th, at approximately 8:00 PM Spokane Police Department detectives and officers found Smith at a relative's residence in the southwest area of Spokane.

He was taken into custody without incident and lodged in Spokane County Jail as a Fugitive From Justice.

Extradition proceedings will commence to return Smith back to the Oregon State Hospital.

According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, patients are forensically committed if they have been found guilty of a crime except for insanity.

Patients are civilly committed by a judge because they are believed to pose a threat to themselves or others.

Smith was a forensic commitment.

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