Honolulu police recovered a hand gun today that disappeared from a restroom at Oahu Community Correctional Center.

Honolulu police and state deputy sheriffs earlier launched a search for a woman identified as a “person of interest” in connection with the missing firearm.

An OCCC adult correctional officer left a .38-caliber revolver in a public unisex restroom at the main entrance at about 1 p.m. When the officer went back to get it, the firearm was gone, said Toni Schwartz, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.

A former pretrial detainee, Janelle Newcomb, 35, was seen in the area and was identified as a person of interest, according to a DPS news release.

She was located and arrested, and the gun was recovered Wednesday evening, Schwartz said.

Newcomb had been released from OCCC on Oct. 13 when her case for harassment, liquor in a public place and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information was dismissed. She was picking up personal belongings at OCCC today.

Schwartz said an administrative investigation has been opened, but the investigation was ongoing and she could not provide information on the officer and any possible disciplinary actions.

“This situation is one that we take very seriously,” said DPS Director Nolan Espinda in a statement. “A full investigation is being conducted so we can make sure safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again.”

Schwartz said only correctional officers working outside the secured perimeter are permitted to carry firearms.