Police: Escaped Mental Patient Who Threatened Children Back In Custody
GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA.com) — A mental patient who escaped from a Santa Ana facility Friday and who reportedly threatened children in the past, is back in custody.
Garden Grove police say Norris Phuoc Nguyen returned to the facility a little more than 24 hours after he left.
Just before 5 p.m. yesterday, Nguyen reportedly walked out of the facility -- the Royale Health Care Center -- located at Bristol Street and Warner Avenue.
Authorities interviewed Nguyen upon his return. He told them he went to a nearby friend's house.
Police investigators talked to Nguyen about his disappearance and they say at this time it doesn't appear that he committed any crimes while out among the public.
Nguyen, a schizophrenic who reportedly has a preoccupation with assault weapons and knives, has been housed at the facility since December 2012.
Officials said Nguyen has repeatedly threatened to harm a specific teacher and children at the elementary school he attended in Garden Grove.
Authorities wanted to thank the public for the numerous tips and possible sightings they received in the 24 hours Nguyen was on the lam.
