Full Breakdown
Sexually Violent Predator Removes GPS and Disappears in Rancho Bernardo
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
In the early-morning hours of a Friday, the GPS unit assigned to 69-year-old Merle Wakefield signaled “tamper mode” while he was working at a warehouse in Rancho Bernardo. Sheriff’s Lt. Aloha Peters reported that the alert occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. When staff from Liberty Health Care (LHC) arrived to check on Wakefield, the device had been removed and the man was no longer on the premises. Sheriff’s officials have asked the public not to approach Wakefield and to call 9-1-1 if he is seen.
Background of the Conditional Release Program
Wakefield was convicted in 1981 of lewd acts with a minor under 14 and again in 1990 of rape by force. After serving a prison term, he was designated a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed to the Department of State Hospitals for treatment. SVPs are individuals convicted of violent sexual offenses who are diagnosed with a mental condition indicating a high risk of re-offending; they comprise less than 1 percent of California’s sexual-offender population and are court-ordered to reside in a state hospital after incarceration. Wakefield successfully petitioned for conditional release in late 2024, initially receiving a transient status with round-the-clock, in-person supervision because no permanent housing could be located.
Funding and Scale of the Program
A 2024 California State Auditor review found that the state has spent $93 million to house and monitor the 56 participants currently allowed to live in the community, averaging $1.66 million per participant.
Official Response and Search Protocol
The Department of State Hospitals, which contracts LHC to supervise the program, declined comment on Wakefield’s case citing privacy laws. According to departmental protocol, any participant who absconds triggers immediate notification of law-enforcement, the local district attorney, the state Department of Justice, parole officials, and the superior court. Sheriff’s officials have activated that protocol and are conducting a search.
Current Status and Community Impact
After his disappearance, Wakefield was later placed in a home in Jacumba Hot Springs and most recently reported to be residing in Campo, though the length of that stay is unclear. Residents of Rancho Bernardo have expressed concern about the potential risk, prompting the sheriff’s office to issue public safety advisories while the investigation continues.