Police: 2 Missing Hospital Patients May Need Meds

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Detectives sought the public's help on Friday in locating two patients missing from a Southland hospital who may be in need of medication.

On Thursday night at about 9:20 p.m., detectives were notified that patients James Sheppard and Christopher Bednar were missing from a satellite center to Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center in Los Angeles.

The medical facility where these patients were staying has issued an "apprehend and transport" request to have police take the patients into custody and immediately transport them back to the hospital.

Sheppard, 50, is a white male with brown hair and eyes, stands 6' tall and weighs about 185 pounds. Bednar, 45, is also a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, just under 6' tall and about 280 pounds.

Anyone with any information regarding these individuals is asked to contact Rampart Division detectives at (213) 484-3440 or (213) 484-3400. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.

All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to the LAPD website, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips."