NEWS

Man who left Hackettstown hospital found

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR

HACKETTSTOWN – A man who left the hospital in nothing but socks and a paper gown Thursday morning was found later in the day by state police.

Daniel Steffener, 28, walked away from Hackettstown Regional Medical Center at 5:41 a.m. Thursday, Hackettstown police said.

Steffener, who is about 6 feet tall and 170 pounds with green eyes, a pockmarked face, and red curly hair, was seen heading toward the Brook Hollow Development, located across from the hospital, but then he disappeared.

At the time, Steffener was wearing a blue paper hospital gown and white socks, police said.

Police issued an alert and said there were indications he might have been heading somewhere in the Mount Olive and Washington Twp. area.

At about 6 p.m., police issued a statement saying that Steffener had been located at a home in Hope Twp. by State Police.

The statement said the Steffener was safe but local police had not been informed yet how state police found him at the home.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com