The patients who escaped and local press have said that donations of up to NT$2.5 million are required before families can leave their children at the temple.
Hsinhsien says the patients are really to blame, adding that such behavior is typical of the five who escaped. She said the patients had previously been heavy drug addicts and have violent tendencies.
The five escapees have even threatened their parents, who originally were going to hold a press conference on Monday to express their support of the temple, Hsinhsien said.
"Previously, no one could bring them under control, so naturally they don't like it here and looked for any opportunity to run away," she said.
The patients who spoke out could not be reached yesterday. Yu's office said their lives were now in danger and that they had gone into hiding.
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