Officers find jail inmate who escaped from Meridian Behavioral Healthcare

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This afternoon, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare (1541 SW Williston Road) after learning that an Alachua County Jail inmate escaped while receiving in-patient mental health treatment.

This incident caused a substantial law enforcement presence along SW Williston Road, as well as in neighborhoods west of Meridian.

Deputies and Gainesville Police Department Officers conducted a thorough search, with the help of an ASO K-9 Team and GPD’s Drone Team, and the inmate was taken into custody within approximately 30-40 minutes of the initial call.

ASO thanks the citizens who contacted the Combined Communications Center and provided assistance.