MAPELWOOD — Minnesota officials have found a St. Paul-area residential treatment center at fault after a resident was left in subzero temperatures for hours and required hospital treatment.

The Minnesota Department of Health issued findings this week after investigating the incident at the South Metro Human Services facility.

Officials said a resident diagnosed with a mental illness and chemical dependency issues was absent from the facility in March. Temperatures fell as low as 15 degrees below zero when the person was missing overnight. The resident’s hands and feet suffered frostbite.

The report indicated employees didn’t properly conduct bed checks or communicate that a resident wasn’t in the building.

The South Metro Human Services director said it’s complying with the report’s recommendations to prevent future issues.