(Credit: Voices, Hearts, and Hands)
His elopement from a mental health facility Friday sparked a search in the area
Struggling with a mental health challenge can be terrifying. You may feel alone, scared, and confused. Tina Asman said that is likely what her son may be going through right now.
Paul James Asman, 23, was last seen in the Fort Washington and has been missing since Friday night when he escaped from Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital in Whitemarsh Township.
“He ran into the woods along the Wissahickon Creek,” said his mother. “They told me he escaped and climbed over a fence.” Tina has since been working with Whitemarsh Township Police since that time to find her son.
The escape prompted multiple emergency services to respond to the area on Friday evening.. Whitemarsh Community Ambulance Association was called out at 7:01 p.m. on July 19 for a “special service” call. The EMS Special Service call was directed to an intersection at Lafayette Avenue and Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail in Whitemarsh Township.
An NBC10 helicopter was seen hovering in the area, as police from both Upper Moreland and Whitemarsh townships assisted at the scene. An Upper Moreland K-9 Unit was also at the scene on Friday night.
“He was in [Brooke Glen] because he is suffering from a mental crisis,” said Tina. “He has schizophrenia and is off his medication.”
Tina said she is concerned that without his medication, Paul will suffer.
“This is the worst it’s been,” she told Wissahickon Now.
Anyone that has seen signs of Paul is being asked to call 911, as many area police districts are working on the case. Paul is described as a white male, with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 6’8” and weighs around 250 pounds. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers.
He was last seen near the 300 block of Morris Road. Tina warned that, if you do see him, to immediately call the authorities.
“He has a warrant out because he a 303,” said Tina. A “303” is an extended involuntary treatment.
“After an emergency evaluation, if a doctor decides that a person needs to spend more days in the hospital, a 303 hearing is held and a mental health review officer can sign an order issuing extended emergency hospital treatment up to 20 days,” said PublicSource.org.
Tina said that Paul may be difficult to bring back into custody.
“He won’t go willingly,” said Tina, who noted there had been no sightings or leads since Paul eloped his hospital on Friday.
Tina is hopeful that her son’s height might help him to be found.
“He is 6’8” so as people look around, they may just see ‘that guy is tall’ and maybe it’s him,” said Tina. No legitimate sightings or information has yet to reach authorities, according to Tina. Some rumors noted he may be in the Plymouth Meeting area, but information has not been verified.
She said she is still praying for a “good outcome.” If she could get a message to Paul, she said she’d hope to let him know he is loved.
“Everyone loves you, and we all want you to come home,” said Tina. “We miss you.”
Wissahickon Now has attempted to reach Whitemarsh Police but has not yet heard back from the department. Those with information or that have seen Paul Asman are asked to call 9-1-1 or the Whitemarsh Township Police Department at 610-825-6530.
