Grace Cottage Hospital put under lockdown after assault on nurse
Grace Cottage Hospital was put under lockdown after a nurse was assaulted and property was damaged by a patient Wednesday morning.
Andrea Seaton, director of community relations at Grace Cottage, said the lockdown started at about 9:30 a.m. and ended at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.
At 1 p.m. Thursday, the Vermont State Police asked for the public's help in locating the suspect of the assault at the hospital. Adam Rauch, 22, of San Diego, Calif., was identified as a patient who attacked a nurse and damaged property before leaving on foot.
"Rauch may be in crisis and is potentially dangerous, and there are concerns for his welfare," police said.
Rauch is described by police as 6 feet tall, weighing 210 pounds, with a muscular build and blond hair. He was last seen wearing blue hospital scrub pants, a blue paper top, and no socks or shoes.
Police said Rauch left the hospital "in an unknown direction of travel and has no known contacts in the area," and should not be approached. Anyone who sees him is asked to immediately called 911 or the Vermont State Police at 802-722-4600.
Police said the nurse was "treated for facial injuries and released."
Townshend Elementary School and Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School were in a "lock out situation" due to the incident at the hospital, Superintendent Bob Thibault said. Students could still move around inside the school buildings.