Police officers sued for allegedly 'abandoning' man during mental health crisis

[Jilly_in_VA]

An Illinois man discharged from a hospital during a mental health crisis last year was "abandoned" by police in a parking lot late at night, only to be hit by a car shortly after, suffering traumatic brain injuries, a recent lawsuit alleges.

A complaint filed last month in Will County Circuit Court alleges that two officers with the New Lenox, Illinois, police department committed willful and wanton conduct after dropping 24-year-old Qusai Alkafaween off in a dark, empty parking lot shortly before midnight on Dec. 5, 2020.

The complaint also alleges that Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox negligently discharged Alkafaween during his mental health crisis when "he was a danger to himself and others and unable to protect himself."

Officers from the Orland Park Police Department brought Alkafaween, of Worth, Illinois, to the hospital that day after a gas station attendant reported he was "acting erratically," Jack Casciato, a partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago and one of the attorneys representing Alkafaween, said during a press briefing Wednesday.

Alkafaween has schizophrenia and was "experiencing delusions," Casciato said. He was treated and discharged after several hours, though the complaint alleges the hospital was negligent in failing to transfer Alkafaween to a mental health facility or order a psychiatric consultation.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-officers-sued-allegedly-abandoning-man-mental-health/story?id=80954014
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Read on. It gets worse.

[Thunderbeast]

1. Standard practice

Unless a psychotic patient draws someone's blood and is criminally liable, they will not be held against their will. Even though they are in no way capable of self care, and are in constant danger, courts will not consider commitment.

My son was recently released to the streets after refusing psych meds.

I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP...Their discharge support plan was a coat, a backpack, and a tent.

Our laws confirm that the mentally ill have the right to die with their rights on.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Why was this young man not at least dropped off at home?

He apparently had a home to go to.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. PrOtEcTiNg AnD sErViNg

[cinematicdiversions]

4. I am not sure this is a police issue.

this is more an advocates for the mentally ill issue.

Often, hands are tied with adult mental patients in terms of involuntary confinement.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Oh, there's plenty of blame to go around.

But there are a lot of services that would have more resources if we didn't keep throwing money at the cops.

[cinematicdiversions]

6. Unfortunately in this case the problem is not just money.

(Though Mental Heath is very under-funded. The police have actually been strong advocates for additional funding since they have to pick up the slack. )

the issue is mostly the laws and court rulings regarding the rights of the mentally ill.