If, during the period of habilitation authorized by this chapter a client escapes or otherwise leaves a facility without permission, the facility may advise any peace officer that the client has escaped or otherwise left the facility without permission; and the peace officer shall be authorized to take said client into custody and return him to such facility.
(Code 1933, § 88-2509.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 734, § 8.)