Toronto police have issued a public safety warning after another patient disappeared from the Centre of Mental Health and Addiction on Tuesday afternoon.
Police say 45-year-old Anthony Murdock went missing from the facility, located near Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue, at around 2:20 p.m.
Murdock has been described by police as six-foot-one, 200 pounds, and has a shaved head. He was last seen wearing a burgundy cotton top and blue jeans.
“Police are concerned for the safety of the public. If located, do not approach, immediately contact police,” Toronto police wrote in a news release issued on Tuesday night.
In a statement provided to CP24 on Wednesday, police said Murdock, who was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for an indecent act in 1998, was out on an "accompanied pass" when he disappeared.
"When our officers received the notification that he had walked away, they assessed him as a potential risk and we issued his photo along with the notice (regarding the) risk," the statement read.
CAMH said in a statement issued late Wednesday afternoon that staff notified Toronto police after the patient "violated the terms of their staff-escorted pass."
“The forensic mental health system in Canada is separate and apart from the corrections system, and CAMH is not a prison,” the statement reads. “Patients found Not Criminally Responsible are sent to CAMH for treatment and rehabilitation by the courts."
"As part of their care program, over time, patients are granted authorized privileges, such as community passes, by the Ontario Review Board (ORB). Community passes are an important part of the care a patient receives at CAMH and have been proven to support rehabilitation and recovery for those who live with mental disorders.”
This is not the first time in the past month that someone has gone missing from the facility.
On July 23, 27-year-old CAMH patient Ahmed Sualim briefly escaped from the facility but was taken back into custody on the same day.
Zhebin Cong, a 47-year-old CAMH patient with a violent past, fled the country on July 3 while out on a day pass from the centre.
Zhebin Cong left CAMH on July 3. (Toronto police handout)
The Ontario Review Board recently wrote that Cong, who was found NCR in the fatal stabbing of his roommate in 2014, poses a “significant threat to the safety of the public.”
Cong’s escape has prompted CAMH to launch an external review of its practices surrounding the issuance of day passes and other privileges.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the disappearance of Murdock and the recent case of Cong “raises further questions about how CAMH, and other healthcare providers, along with our justice system work to ensure our community is safe.”
But, Tory said he is confident police are “doing everything possible” to locate Murdock.
“Earlier this month, I was clear that an overall independent review of the Zhebin Cong case should be launch,” he said. “This could simply take the form of having one individual review all of the reports and recommendations expected to be forthcoming to make sure every aspect has been covered given the number of organizations involved.”
Tory said two reviews into the Cong case have already been launched by Toronto police.
“I have been updated on the progress of these reviews and I am optimistic those reports will be completed soon,” he said. “Hopefully this will lead to immediate changes about how the police notify the public about these incidents.”
“I believe the police should work to provide as much information as possible in as timely a manner as possible.”
As well, the office of Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones released a statement regarding the matter on Wednesday.
“It’s outrageous to hear that another patient has gone missing this month from CAMH,” the statement read. “The disappearance of each of these individuals has exposed members of the public to real danger.”
“Ensuring the safety and security of the people is our government’s most fundamental responsibility.”
