As the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) faces criticism over recent patient disappearances, one man has been reported missing from the facility for the second time in just over one month.
Toronto police sent out a news release Tuesday morning saying that Akeem McLean Charley, 28, was last seen at noon Monday in the Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue area, where CAMH is located.
This comes just over one month after Charley was reported missing from the facility for the first time.
Police said Charley had previously gone missing on July 3 before he was located six days later, on July 9.
He is described as being six feet tall, 165 lbs., with a slim build and short black hair. Police said he was last seen wearing black jogging pants, a white T-shirt and grey running shoes.
Officers said they are concerned for the man’s personal safety, but he does not pose a risk to the public.
A police spokesperson added that Charley has not previously been charged with criminal offences.
Speaking to Global News Tuesday, CAMH spokesperson Paris Semansky confirmed Charley is a patient and indicated that he is not under a court order to attend the facility.
Semansky said Charley was given a pass because his treatment was going well, despite him going missing in July.
News of his disappearance comes as CAMH faces criticism after numerous patients have gone missing from the facility in recent weeks, with Charley being the sixth occurrence.
Both Toronto Mayor John Tory and the provincial government have previously called on CAMH to determine why patients have repeatedly gone missing.
Another patient, 59-year-old Robert McNamara, was reported missing Saturday and has still not been found.
One of the most notable instances was regarding Zhebin Cong, a man who went missing from CAMH on July 3 and who police now believe fled the country. Cong was found not criminally responsible in the murder of his roommate in 2014.
Following that incident, CAMH launched an internal and external review of passes which allow patients to exit the facility and go into the community.
Government to participate in review
On Tuesday, Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott issued a statement on the recent disappearances and said the provincial government will be participating in the external review process.
“We are therefore now working to identify and appoint a government advisor to the panel and will share that information once it becomes available,” Elliott said.
“The recommendations from this review will provide expert advice on how to improve hospital protocols and will protect patients and the community … Together, we will ensure that the system is working to protect patients and area residents.”
WATCH: (Aug. 3) Police searching after another CAMH patient disappears
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