By Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This afternoon, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to a situation at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, located at 1541 SW Williston Road, following reports of an escape. An inmate from the Alachua County Jail had fled while receiving in-patient mental health treatment.

The incident prompted a significant law enforcement response along SW Williston Road and extended into nearby neighborhoods west of the healthcare facility.

A comprehensive search was carried out by deputies alongside officers from the Gainesville Police Department. The operation was supported by the ASO K-9 Team and GPD’s Drone Team. Impressively, the escapee was apprehended within 30 to 40 minutes of the initial report.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the community members who contacted the Combined Communications Center, contributing valuable assistance during the search.