Courtnee Austin, a Jefferson County, Alabama, inmate, escaped police custody June 16 by climbing through the ceiling of Birmingham-based UAB Hospital, according to AL.com.
Mr. Austin was taken to the hospital June 11 after he allegedly swallowed a razor blade. Staff at the hospital conducted an X-ray, which verified an object in his system.
Although Mr. Austin was guarded and restrained with leg irons and handcuffs during his hospitalization, a hospital staff member asked that the restraints be removed so he could shower.
A deputy was keeping watch outside the bathroom door, when he heard a thump and looked in to see Mr. Austin climbing into the ceiling, the website reported. Mr. Austin navigated his way to an exit, where Mr. Austin then carjacked a hospital employee and drove off, AL.com reported.
Mr. Austin was recaptured June 17 and returned to custody.
He was initially arrested May 24 on first-degree rape, fist-degree sodomy, fist-degree robbery and attempted murder charges. He will now face additional charges of escape and theft of a motor vehicle.