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Officials in search of mental patient

An institutionalized schizophrenic escaped the custody of Sauk County authorities Monday night, and he may now be roaming the University of Wisconsin campus, according to UW Police.

A dispatcher at the communications center for the Sauk County Sheriff's Department, who wished to remain anonymous, said Joseph Mercer, 31, escaped custody during transport to the UW psychiatric ward and was last seen running from UW Hospital in Madison.

According to the dispatcher, Mercer is schizophrenic and was being transferred to the UW Hospital for mental evaluations.

UWPD Sgt. Jerome Van Natta said Mercer has brown hair and brown eyes, and is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. Van Natta added Mercer was last seen wearing a gray fleece jacket, tan corduroy pants, and wrist and waist restraints, which he may still be wearing.

After the Sauk County deputy released Mercer's seatbelt, Mercer pushed the deputy out of the way and took off running, Van Natta said, and added that Mercer does not have a violent criminal history.

"All indications are that he is not violent, that he is not a threat to anybody except, potentially, himself," Van Natta said. "Our main concern is his wellbeing. … We would just like to get him located and get him some treatment."

Van Natta added that Mercer would most likely try to avoid populated areas, but he is familiar with the UW campus, so it is possible that he is still in the area.

A UW Hospital Access Center employee, who requested not to be named, declined comment. Employees at the UW Hospital Access Center are responsible for facilitating patient transfers.