"As of 2016, Texas ranked 41st out of 50 states on the number of state hospital beds for psychiatric patients," says Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, founder of the Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All Rights Reserved. "Friday," she recalled, "they called us and said he was dead.". Law enforcement is on the hunt for a patient that escaped from a state mental health facility in North Texas. An undated photograph of the Wichita Falls State Hospital, whose population peaked at 3,481 patients in 1955. Officials told Texomas Homepage that Ervin is known to make weapons. The campuses serve people who have been screened and referred by their local mental health authority. The documents appear to represent a small fraction of the records state investigators compiled during their review of Clayton's death. In 1967 the hospital treated 2,700 patients. Claim this business. Smith is optimistic about the effectiveness of treatment given patients. Staff rushed to the scene, where they saw blood on the floor and on Keith Clayton's forehead. Advertisement. Theres a speed limit of 15 mph on all campus streets. AUSTIN (KXAN) - Mandy Reeder has been left devastated and baffled by the loss of her eldest son who died in North Texas State Hospital in September. "Him just dropping down and dying, it just doesn't make sense," she said. VERNON, Texas (KEYE) - A police department in North Texas says a patient with Austin ties who was committed at the North Texas State Hospital after being . It's not good for defendants, victims, everybody.". Join our exceptional team at our beautiful campus in North Texas where . Daywood Clayton recalled trying to get his son, before he was handcuffed by the officers and loaded into their car, to put on a sweater. The state hospital system has been notoriously understaffed for years. Wichita Falls Police have arrested a murder suspect in an incident that occurred at the North Texas State Hospital Nov. 20. Torrey says that in Harris County Jail alone, "more than 2,000 of the nearly 9,000 inmates are receiving psychiatric medication." By contrast, "the largest state psychiatric hospital in Texas, North Texas State Hospital in Wichita Falls, has less than 700 beds." . Escaped North Texas mental facility patient has Austin-area ties, Visitors give TX state park final farewell after land sold, Canyon Lake animal shelter faces claims of neglect, abuse. The first patient was admitted to this new facility in 1922. At North Texas Hospital, visitors are encouraged to look at name badges to determine who is a patient and who is a staff member. Clayton was pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m., roughly 90 minutes after he was first restrained. Persons with felony charges who have been found incompetent to stand trial; Persons admitted for pre-trial evaluations for. The hospital is located in 6621 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas. However, thecampus is surrounded by a 15-foot-high, unclimbable fence. Samantha Clayton said she struggles daily with the guilt of agreeing to have her father committed to an institution. Published: Jan. 13, 2022 at 4:34 PM PST. It is considered the largest state hospital in Texas serving over 30 counties. Forensic patients are also waiting for competency restoration services to stand trial or those found not guilty by reason of insanity. He had a girlfriend. When he began exhibiting signs of schizophrenia, Keith Clayton's family agonized over sending him to a state-run psychiatric hospital. The meeting was interrupted when Chelsea Mote, a psychiatric nursing assistant, came running. We serve people with mental illness and co-occurring mental illness and intellectual disabilities who have been screened and referred by their local mental health authorities. KXAN has requested records related to Justins death from local and state law enforcement and HHSC. His stay, almost certainly, will be for a long time. Instead judges send them for mental health treatment with the hope they can be restored to mental health competency. Over the course of six months, representatives for the North Texas State Hospital and the Department of State Health Services repeatedly declined to answer the Tribune's questions about the incident. Vernon is home to the North Texas State Hospital, Texas' only maximum security mental health facility. The Exit: Teachers Leave. "I am confident we are not coddling anyone," Smith said before pivoting to his success rate when interviewed in 2016. The 1980s saw Vernon State Hospital redefined as the states forensic psychiatric facility, resulting in expansion of the hospitals service area from 23 to 53 counties. Staff did not record the attempted escape in an unusual-incident report that state hospital administrators typically fill out when a patient tries to flee because, the health department said, it "didn't rise to the level of requiring a formal report. Love found there was "no evidence to suggest that state hospital employees intentionally injured" Clayton. Surrounding the facility is a 15-foot-high unclimbable fence. We didnt even know he had these fractures, and we should have been notified about anything, and they didnt even happen that night.. If there is any suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, reports are made to HHSC Provider Investigations, the HHS Office of Inspector General and local law enforcement, if criminal activity is suspected.. Texas Children's Hospital - Texas Children's Hospital is a full fledged pediatric hospital attending to over 2.2 million patients yearly. Whether you come to work in our kitchen, on the security team, or as a medical professional, your time here will help improve the lives of our patients and many others. The victim, Mauricio Garcia, 57, was transported to United Regional Health Care. At some point, Justin had sustained two facial fractures, a nose fracture and a rib fracture, medical records show. The North Texas State Hospital's adolescent forensic program now has a new home around Vernon. It was an unseasonably cold day when the officers arrived; a light snow sprinkled the high plains of Texas Panhandle country. The easiest solution is to put them in jail instead of having a system where you commit them and they get help, he said. needs room in shelter for parvo treatment, Hundreds join Uvalde survivors to call for gun safety, Fire at brush drop-off site in Round Rock, Thursdays cold front brings severe risk then strong, Nurses rally at TX Capitol, ask lawmakers for help, Doctors could get TX license in 10 days or fewer, I was raped, I am OK graffiti sparks controversy, How to reduce teacher exits? Both Smith and Bearden told abc13 few do, despite knowing that once they leave Vernon they will be on trial. Despite her father's struggles with alcohol, he had been in good physical shape, she said, roller-blading for long distances and doing manual labor for his job at a trucking company. The hospital's population remained relatively steady between 1945 and the mid-1970s; its physical growth, however, continued. Saved. The state health department turned those letters over to the Tribune last week, six months after a reporter first began asking about the incident and three months after officials said there was "no additional releasable information." Anna Clayton said she didn't even know state hospital employees were involved in her stepson's death until a Texas Tribune reporter called her last month. We start with the history of the Austin State Hospital (ASH) cemetery (the hospital was formerly known as the Texas State Lunatic Asylum), in Central Austin, located on an 11-acre plot at 200 W . Published: Jun. North Texas State Hospital. The campus serves people who have been screened and referred by their local mental health authority. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. The 1920s-era Administration Building was once used to house mentally unstable patients. All of that is very intentional, according to Bearden. The Wichita Falls campus provides adult psychiatric services and child/ adolescent psychiatric services. Fax: 940-689-5538. In this unit, sleeping rooms are limited to just two patients and all "stimuli" are muted: lights, colors, and sound all quieter than normal. Oversight of the hospital was transferred to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in September 1965. MySA has reached out to the Vernon Police Department for more information. When pressed, department spokeswoman Christine Mann wrote in an email that there was "no additional releasable information" on Keith Clayton's death "No police report or video footage.". Staff removed patient from the restraint chair and placed him on the floor. Investigators from Adult Protective Services, a state agency that looks into possible mistreatment of adults with disabilities, set out to determine if the restraint used on Clayton was tantamount to abuse. Texas Health and Human Services operates nine state hospitals and one residential youth center . "State hospitals are seeing people who are sicker and more difficult to treat," he said. Provides forensic, competency training, psychological and rehabilitation services to patients with legal charges who are veterans. Two weeks later, and five months after it occurred, the medical examiner ruled Clayton's death an accident. Were proud to work with the Volunteer Services Council to enhance patient care and make connections in the community. Police interviewed Tinoco and Roy five days later. ItsVernon campus houses over 400 of the states most violent accused criminals. He wasnt like your average person that you would see in Vernon. 208-476-4511. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civilly committed patients within a secure treatment area. Despite his mental impairments, he was thriving, Mandy said. Master's degrees were award-ed to 231 candidates in com-mencement exercises and two received the doctor of educa-' tion degree. We have security observation towers, use electronic monitoring and have cameras in our buildings and in certain areas outside of our buildings, he said. What first inspired you to pursue your career? Make a difference in someones life. This . Fax: 940-553-2500, 8407 FM 433W Government Agency. Our History. 4730 College Drive, Vernon, TX, 76384-4009 Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston, TX is nationally ranked in 6 adult specialties. Tinoco declined to discuss the restraint used on Clayton or the events leading up to his death. Updated: Nov 15, 2022 / 10:41 PM CST. One summer afternoon in the late sixties . Consumer Services. The Department of State Health Services . 55 were here. The doctor, she said, was struggling to understand how none of the lifesaving measures were effective on a man of Justins age and physical health. Keith Clayton's death is an example of the sometimes-fatal effects of restraints used to subdue patients at Texas' state-run facilities for people with mental illness institutions that face an uncertain future due to unpredictable funding, crumbling infrastructure and a growing demand to house patients from an overcrowded criminal justice system. When the Tribune obtained a list of employees who witnessed the restraint and presented it to the state health department, officials said it would cost more than $400 to provide information about those employees. Failed to Update. "Roughly 85 percent (of our patients) are referred back to court and we're doing that in 95 days," he said at the time. also contains a Board report for the year 1887 that includes a narrative discussion of the operation of the hospital,patient care, a statistical . Who is graffitiingI was raped, I am OK in ATX? The state turned over records since 2006. 14) University Health System (San Antonio) universityhealthsystem.com. Wichita Falls, TX 76308 Vernon, TX 76385 Vernon, TX 76384. Wichita Falls campus; Vernon campus; Vernon Campus South; Accreditation; Notable patients Due to medical privacy laws, HHSC would not confirm or deny Justin was a patient in a state hospital or answer specific questions about his death. HHSC provided the following statement: When there is a death on a state hospital campus, we thoroughly review what happened in the events leading up to and after the death. While Miles has to wait, we did not. Throughout Justins life there were times when he would experience a cycle, or period where his medications werent balanced or effective. KXAN has obtained hospital records and observation notes from the night of Justins death from Mandy. They want to know all the circumstances surrounding Justins death, have accountability and to spark changes that will prevent a similar tragedy in the future. Anna Clayton, now 86, said the family eventually gave up on trying to discover the circumstances of his death. Leading up to his time in the state hospital, Mandy said his medication had become less effective. DSH-Patton was established in 1890 and opened in 1893. All rights reserved. Ted Oberg Investigates made the seven-hour trip to Vernon to see the hospital for ourselves. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. VERNON, Texas (KXAN) An Austin man acquitted in his father's death is on the run, after escaping the North Texas State Hospital. Due to COVID restrictions, the family didnt visit Justin for extended periods. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. respectively, Tinoco and Roy were a combined 365 lbs. General Psychiatry, Addiction, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry. Updated: Jan 9, 2018 / 06:56 PM CST. Men and women are in the same buildings, but do not share dorms. The exact circumstances around Justins death remain unclear. Wichita Falls North Texas State Hospital North Texas State Hospital - South Campus. "I really don't feel comfortable just talking to you over the phone about something that happened two years ago," he said. Tours must be arranged at least 72 hours in advance and approved by the superintendent. A multi-agency manhunt ended Sunday when a man who escaped the North Texas State Hospital in June was found and taken into custody. The records shed some light on a fatal incident within Texas understaffed state hospital system where little information is made public about patients, even when they die. Actively violent patients are kept in a more secure, constantly locked unit where staff work behind fortified glass and locked doors. The Wichita Falls Campus provides general psychiatric inpatient services for child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Roy told police Clayton had been verbally combative and was cussing at state hospital staff during the restraint. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services confirms the death at Sundance Behavioral Hospital in Arlington on Saturday, September 15. In all the years Justin had lived at home through difficult periods and outbursts that could require physical restraint never once did Justin get anything beyond a bruise or scratch, Mandy said. That afternoon officers were summonded to the hospital to investigate an assault. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are making a good difference, he said. The treatment will likely be a dramatic departure for any inmate at a county lock-up. History. Alexander Ervin, 29, has been missing from the Vernon Campus of the North Texas State . Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX is nationally ranked in 1 adult specialty. Founded in 1954, this hospital is dedicated to child care and treatment, research and education. The North Texas State Hospital is located in Vernon, Texas just 6 miles from the Texas-Oklahoma border. Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors, Texas Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Investigations, Sign up for More than the Score Sports newsletter, GoFundMe to help pay for Justin Reeders funeral expenses, State mental hospital backlog grows, new record exceeds 2,500 waiting in jail, State hospital staffing emergency looms as record 2,100 wait in jail for treatment, As Bowie archive finds new home at UK museum, start, 5 fun crafts for kids on St. Patricks Day, Inspired by the Iditarod race? A pilot program is exploring adding competency-restoration in county jails. Days after his arrival, the 55-year-old was dead the victim of a restraint gone wrong. There are no handcuffs, no shackles, dormitory doors are locked only at shift changes; guards are out of sight. Psychiatric Intensive Outpatient Services, Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Services Adults. We're here to help you have your day in court.". Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Temple in Temple, TX is not nationally ranked in any specialty. The North Texas State Hospital (NTSH) is an inpatient mental health facility owned by the State of Texas and under the Texas Health and Human Service Commission 's Health and Specialty Care System division. It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for the elderly couple from Borger, Texas. He left this Earth, probably feeling very abandoned, Mandy said. To be nationally ranked in a specialty, a hospital must excel in caring for the sickest, most medically complex patients. More information about this hospital can be . Nearly . We also serve forensic psychiatric patients primarily referred for competency restoration. North Texas State Hospital is an inpatient mental health facility owned by the State of Texas and under. From the medical examiner's office, Love wrote in his police report that Clayton's ribs were likely broken when emergency medical staff performed CPR. "You really need somebody to file a lawsuit," he said. "It was really only in the early 1900s, moving into the '40s and '50s, when funding became so strapped that the state hospitals kind of became those pits," Schock says, like the ones in the movies. Smith quoted Baker as saying that a patient with a medical history like Clayton's could have a particularly delicate spleen, "like an overfilled balloon ready to burst at the slightest touch.". Justin arrived at Wilbarger just after 10:30 p.m. Victoria Washburn Wichita Falls, Texas Details. His arrival and the initial three days of his stay were, by all accounts, without incident. Tours of the Vernon campus adult and adolescent programs are limited due to additional patient privacy restrictions. North Texas State Hospital part of the HHS Health and Specialty Care System consists of three campuses in Wichita Falls and Vernon. About 2,500 patients reside in those hospitals at any day, and . Any visitors must be buzzed in. When they did, Tinoco told them Clayton had come up behind him and punched him in the back of the head while he was supervising another patient. 940-552-1400 "Believe me the security staff knows exactly where we are, everywhere we've been and where we will be all day," he said. Saturday - Sunday: Closed. Justin, whose father, Eric, described him as his little buddy and shadow always by his side. At the height of the Great Depression, the hospital was a self-sustaining community with an agricultural enterprise that included farming and raising hogs, chickens and cattle. 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