Peterborough Police Department K-9 Queso, who assisted in efforts to find a patient who had fled Monadnock Community Hospital.
Peterborough Police Department K-9 Queso, who assisted in efforts to find a patient who had fled Monadnock Community Hospital. Credit: —COURTESY OF PETERBOROUGH POLICE

A man who recently fled Monadnock Community Hospital was safely transported back by police. 

Peterborough Police responded to Old Street Road near Monadnock Community Hospital May 31 at approximately 4:15 p.m. for an involuntary emergency admission patient who fled the hospital before being sent to the New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord for treatment.

According to Peterborough Police, Sgt. George Xenakis, Master Patrolman Shane Sweeney and K-9 Queso began searching for the patient in the woods near Old Street Road after getting a tip from the Monadnock Community Hospital security team. 

Queso was able to pick up on the patient’s tracks, leading law enforcement to a nearby stream deep in the woods. After crossing the four-foot-deep stream, Queso picked up the patient’s tracks again, leading law enforcement to the patient approximately 260 yards away.

According to Peterborough Police Chief Scott Guinard, the patient was safely transported back to Monadnock Community Hospital. Greenfield and Hancock police departments assisted in the effort.