William Joseph Hart, 34, of Newell, West Virginia, disappeared after being taken to East Liverpool City Hospital in the fall of 2021 following a traffic stop on State Route 7 by St. Clair Township police. Officers found an outstanding warrant and, concerned he may have ingested something, called an ambulance. He was placed on a hold and told leaving the hospital would result in a felony escape charge. About ten minutes after arriving, staff alerted police that Hart had fled the facility.

Officers reported seeing Hart near State Route 39 running and jumping a fence toward the Ohio River. A multi-agency search of the riverbank was conducted but did not locate him. He was last seen in a black Snap-on hoodie and a white baseball cap worn backward. Distinctive features include musical notes tattooed on his forehead, the name Serena on the right side of his neck, Fear no evil tattooed across his fingers, a round scar on his left shoulder, and a slight limp.

If anyone saw William in the East Liverpool or State Route 39 area on the night he fled the hospital or has information about his whereabouts, please share what is known.