Iowa Code § 226.16: Unauthorized departure and retaking.

The superintendent and all other officers and employees of any mental health institute, in case of the unauthorized departure of any involuntarily hospitalized patient, shall exercise all due diligence to take into protective custody and return the patient to the mental health institute. A notification by the superintendent of such unauthorized departure to any peace officer of the state or to any private person shall be sufficient authority to such officer or person to take and return the patient to the mental health institute.