Eastern Iowa Inmate Escapes Via Hospital Visit

Linn County authorities are looking for an escaped inmate.
41 year old Wendee Chalupa was taken into custody on Thursday, November 17th on a 90 day mittiumus for contempt of court.

Three days later, on Sunday, Nov. 20 at about 1:30pm, Chalupa was taken from the Linn County Correctional Center in Cedar Rapids, to Mercy Hospital, to be evaluated for a medical condition.

She was admitted, and a detainer was placed on her with Mercy Hospital; before she can be released from the hospital, the staff would have to contact the Linn County Sheriff so she may be picked up and taken back to jail.

6 hours later, at about 7:30pm Sunday, Chalupa walked out of Mercy Hospital without the staff's knowledge.

Chalupa is 5'2" and 185 lbs; if anyone knows of her whereabouts they are asked to contact the Linn County Sheriff's office.