KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Daniel Patterson escaped from the Estill County Jail on Wednesday, August 1st, the day he was scheduled to appear in court for a Protective Order filed by his estranged wife, Candace Patterson.

"I didn't want to go back to court that day. I just didn't want to go see her and her lawyer," explained Patterson.

Patterson went running and that sent his estranged wife into hiding, saying she was scared he was going to come looking for her. He insisted he had no plans to seek her out, but Candace said she doesn't believe that.

When asked, how long he thought he could keep running, he answered, "Who knows."

Each time he was asked how he slipped away from the deputies he replied, "No comment."

Then he finally explained, "I just left. I walked away."

Patterson added there were two other inmates being brought into the jail at the same time. "That's it. I disappeared."

At one point, early in the escape, Patterson said he tried to jump into a woman's car.

"I got drug down the highway. I got my legs all messed up, jacked up."

While he ran, Patterson said he had no real plan. Still he says he was able to slip one hand out of his handcuffs, he even stole a pair of boots and some clothes. He is also accused of stealing a truck in Irvine. That's where police say he met up with Michael Rose.

"Yeah, I know him," claimed Patterson, when asked how well, "I've known him for the past year and a half, two years."

The inmate went on to say, "I'm pretty sure he (Rose) called the cops," adding, "I watched them come and go from Michael's."

Patterson says he then made it to Knox County where investigators say he broke into his brother's home and took some money and a gun.

"He was at home," said Patterson, who still admitted he broke into the home.

When asked what the gun was for, he responded, "Protection."

Patterson insisted he never intended to use the gun and even left it behind moments later.

On Friday, Patterson was found hiding in the woods not far from his mother's home. He said he was tired and injured and decided to fold.

"I was ready to give up," he said, but denied being ready to turn himself in, "I don't know about all that, but once they come, I was done. I couldn't run (any) more."

Now, Patterson waits in the Knox County Detention Center, and he figures he'll face more time and more charges for his escape.

When asked if it was worth it, he said with a laugh, "No."