Hope House resident has short escape from custody

Hunter
11/02/23

A Hope House resident who failed to return from his job and was listed as an escapee had a short bit of freedom before he was arrested.

According to the Department of Corrections complaint, 61-year-old Daniel Ockenfels signed out to work at Harris Boyz Auto on South Riverside Drive at 6:52 am Tuesday, with a listed return time of 6:45 PM the same day. Ockenfels did not return to HOPE House at 6:45 PM or any time after, leaving his whereabouts unknown to HOPE House staff.

A call to law enforcement began the search, which ended with Ockenels’ arrest just before 1am Wednesday.

He was taken to the Johnson County Jail, where he faces a Voluntary Escape charge. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.