KINGWOOD, Texas – A Liberty County correctional officer has been fired following an escape by an inmate who fled a Kingwood hospital during a medical visit — and authorities say the fugitive remains at large.
Yorlan Rafael Reyes, 31, escaped from the custody of a Liberty County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer during the early morning hours of July 18, 2026, while receiving medical treatment at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood. He was last seen wearing an orange Liberty County Jail-issued jumpsuit and orange jail-issued shoes.
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The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office says Reyes is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs approximately 190 pounds and should not be approached by the public.
Reyes was originally transported to the Liberty County Jail from Madison County, Texas on July 17, 2026, on an outstanding Liberty County felony warrant. He suffered a medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood. At approximately 5:30 a.m., he escaped from custody and fled the hospital on foot.
At the time of his escape, Reyes was being held on a state jail felony charge of unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material under Texas Penal Code § 21.16.
Following the escape, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office conducted two separate reviews of the incident.
The Criminal Investigations Division reviewed the circumstances for possible criminal wrongdoing. The correctional officer cooperated throughout the process and no criminal wrongdoing was found.
However, a separate administrative review by jail administration found violations involving inmate transportation and supervision — specifically that the inmate was able to get outside the officer’s supervision and flee the hospital on foot. As a result, the officer was terminated.
“Although no criminal wrongdoing was identified, that review found violations involving inmate transportation and supervision, and the officer was terminated,” the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The on-scene investigation at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood has been completed and normal hospital operations have resumed. No active law enforcement activity remains at the hospital related to this incident.
The search for Reyes remains active. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office is working in coordination with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers. Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage from the hospital and continue to pursue all available leads.
Anyone who sees Reyes or has information about his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to call 911 immediately. Tips can also be submitted to:
- Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch: (936) 336-4500
- Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch: (936) 760-5800
- Multi-County Crime Stoppers tip hotline: (800) 392-7867
- Online at multicountycrimestoppers.org
Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of felony suspects.