Gary police say Cherry should have been under a police hold, but that they were never notified until he left the hospital.
Hospital officials say that rules prevent them from notifying a person or agency about a patient’s pending discharge unless the patient agrees to it.
The hospital says it’s up to the police department to post an officer on site during the hospitalization so that the patient can be immediately taken into custody upon discharge. Officials say they don’t have police powers allowing them to legally detain a patient against his or her will.
Gary police say they can only guard patients in Indiana and not in other states.
Anyone with information about Cherry’s whereabouts is asked to call the Gary Police Department at 219-881-1214.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Accused-Killer-Walks-Out-of-Hospital-Disappears-258039111.html#ixzz30wqEBrL2