ST. LOUIS • Authorities are looking for a man they say escaped from a mental hospital in St. Louis. on Monday morning.

George W. Fisher, 47, escaped between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday from the St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center at 5300 Arsenal Street while being escorted by a technician from residential cottages on the campus to the main hospital, court records say. Fisher was in a group of eight patients when he walked off. Authorities searched the campus but could not find Fisher.

A doctor at the rehabilitation center told police Fisher is not violent or a danger to the public.

Fisher has lived at the hospital since 2008, court records say. Fisher's criminal history includes drug and drug paraphernalia convictions from Audrain County. He was committed at the hospital after being found not guilty by reason of insanity on a charge of first-degree arson in Jackson County.

Fisher was charged today with escape from commitment of a state mental hospital, a felony.

Debra Walker, director of public affairs for the state's Department of Mental Health, would not elaborate on the escape beyond a police incident report but said the center's security policies were being reviewed to prevent future escapes.