Poisoned sea lions released in Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- It's back into the ocean for 14 of 17 sea lions injured in a chlorine attack at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

They were nursed back to health and were released Tuesday morning in Laguna Beach. The remaining three sea lions are still recuperating.

Investigators are still looking for the suspect who slipped large amounts of chlorine into the sea lions' pool.

Detectives believe the attack, the first in the nonprofit center's 40-year history, occurred between 8 p.m. April 27 and 6 a.m. April 28.

Following the attack, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center has hired an overnight security guard.

The suspect can expect to face animal cruelty charges, which carries a $20,000 fine and a year in prison.

Anyone with information is urged to call Laguna Beach detectives at (949) 497-0377 or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hotline at (800) 853-1964.