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Man with 'history of violent behavior' found after escaping South Florida State Hospital

John Ireland
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UPDATE: Pembroke Pines police said John Ireland was located in Oakland Park and safely taken into custody. He will be charged for his escape from the South Florida State Hospital.

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EARLIER STORY: A man with a “history of violent behavior” escaped from a South Florida mental hospital Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Pembroke Pines police are searching for John Ireland, a court-ordered patient of South Florida State Hospital.

Ireland, 33, is diagnosed with schizophrenia and escaped from the facility at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Ireland has brown hair, brown eyes and is 6 feet 5 inches. He weighs 200 pounds and has multiple facial tattoos.

Police say he was last seen traveling on foot and wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants.

Officials say he escaped the facility at 800 East Cypress Dr. by climbing over an exterior fence.

“Do NOT approach him if you see him,” the Pembroke Pines Police Department said. “Call 911 immediately.”

Courtesy of our news partner at NBC Miami