Local

Police search for man they said threatened to kill social workers, officers

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Eyewitness news obtained a police report that shows Andre Haughton threatened to kill social workers and wanted to die, at the hands of officers.

Investigators told Channel 9's Kendra Oestreich that they are concerned for everyone's safety, until they find him.

Reports said the man came to a treatment center in Kissimmee from a state hospital to begin transitioning back into the community.

Police said instead of signing paperwork he threatened workers and fled the office.

Haughton's mother, Birdie Barton, said her son is schizophrenic and doesn't have his medications with him.

She said Haughton spent nearly a decade confined "against his will" at the northeast Florida State Hospital in Jacksonville.

She said when the state released her son on Wednesday he came to the Florida Assertive Community Treatment Team in Kissimmee to meet with a social worker.

"I really don't want to be judgmental and say they have discharged him and he was not ready, but it doesn't seem he was ready," said Barton.

In the police report Haughton reportedly said he didn't want to go to an assisted living facility in St. Cloud.

The report said he threatened to kill everyone at the facility and that he said he would rather die by overdosing or through "suicide by cop."

"They get lost, they can get killed. Who knows where Andre is today. I'm hoping and praying Andre will be found and will be safe," said Barton.

Anyone who has information on where Haughton is should contact law enforcement.