The Baker Act is the name of the mental health law in Florida and it covers all aspects of mental health including involuntary examination and commitment. This is the law that is initiated to send a person against their will for involuntary examination at a psychiatric facility.
This law applies to all persons in Florida no matter their age and once a person is in a psychiatric facility they are then subject to possible involuntary commitment via the court. If a facility decides they want to commit someone against their will they must file a petition with the court and very specific criteria must be met. These criteria are:
394.467 Involuntary inpatient placement.—
(1) CRITERIA.—A person may be ordered for involuntary inpatient placement for treatment upon a finding of the court by clear and convincing evidence that:
(a) He or she has a mental illness and because of his or her mental illness:
1.a. He or she has refused voluntary inpatient placement for treatment after sufficient and conscientious explanation and disclosure of the purpose of inpatient placement for treatment; or
b. He or she is unable to determine for himself or herself whether inpatient placement is necessary; and
2.a. He or she is incapable of surviving alone or with the help of willing and responsible family or friends, including available alternative services, and, without treatment, is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for himself or herself, and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to his or her well-being; or
b. There is substantial likelihood that in the near future he or she will inflict serious bodily harm on self or others, as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening such harm; and
(b) All available less restrictive treatment alternatives that would offer an opportunity for improvement of his or her condition have been judged to be inappropriate.
When someone arrives at a psychiatric facility under the Baker Act, an adult can be held for up to seventy-two hours by law. The law clearly dictates a specific protocol to protect patient rights, but that is not necessarily followed. Depending on the facility, one may be treated as if one had no rights at all. For more information on the Baker Act process please go to this page, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: INVOLUNTARY PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINATION UNDER THE BAKER ACT.
Back in the day, patients were put out of “danger” by placing them in strait jackets. These aren’t obsolete by any means today, but it is more than likely that someone that is under an involuntary psychiatric hold will receive psychotropic drugs instead. Imagine arriving at a psychiatric ward, getting an examination and being diagnosed with a few “mental disorders.” Multiple psychotropic drugs may be given just to calm the patient down from their supposed “hysteria,” because it qualified as “emergency treatment.”
This could happen within the first twelve hours upon arrival. Imagine having a very logical reason for the “crazy” behavior that no one bothered to ask about. Imagine being drugged with antipsychotics, which sedate you so heavily your behavior is now under “control” and you are no longer a threat to yourself or others according to the powers that be. But then perhaps the side effects of the drugs kick in and more drugs are given to handle those side effects. The seventy-two hours isn’t anywhere near close to expiring, yet you may not know where you are or what is going on due to the effects of the drugs.
Needless to say, in the first seventy-two hours a lot can happen to a person who is being held involuntarily. However, some people in office think that seventy-two hours isn’t long enough. Rep. Gus Bilirakis convened a panel recently in Land-o-Lakes to discuss mental health and substance abuse issues. In attendance was Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania who is also a clinical psychologist. Murphy is the author of Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act which Bilirakis has co-signed.
Critics of Murphy say that he assumes that mental illness and violence go hand in hand. It seems he is ignorant of the connection between psychotropic drugs and violence, which at this point in time is well documented. If he thinks violence is linked to mental illness, he must be talking about the ones already on psychotropic drugs who are experiencing those homicidal or violent side effects that are common. If that is the case, then those people certainly don’t need to be Baker Acted. They don’t need to spend any time in a psychiatric ward, let alone an extended time beyond seventy-two hours, as they would just be given more drugs.
Murphy also said the seventy-two hour time limit doesn’t make clinical sense. What does he mean by that exactly? Is he implying that more time is needed to observe the patient and decide on a treatment? A medical doctor would do that because he may need to do blood tests, MRIs, urine tests and the like, which could take a bit of time to do before he could diagnose the patient. But psychologists and psychiatrists have no medical test whatsoever that identifies a “mental illness,” so what is he referring to?
Instead of using science, they just note the symptoms, decide on a “disorder” and prescribe mind-altering drugs. These days, this is done by most doctors and mental health professionals in under ten minutes, so there is no logical reason as to why Murphy thinks more than seventy-two hours is needed.
Pasco City Sheriff Chris Nocco also agrees that seventy-two hours is not long enough. He thinks that short a time period is like putting a band-aid on a gushing wound. Sheriff Nocco probably has had experience in handling those that were Baker Acted, but it doesn’t make him an expert on mental health.
About five years ago, a seven year old boy in Largo was Baker Acted right in his classroom. The boy had such a severe tantrum that the students were evacuated. The police arrived and it was the police that decided that the boy needed a mental health evaluation and took him to a psychiatric hospital.
This is nothing short of outrageous. Even worse, the mother was there at the same time as the police and she said she could have helped to handle her child’s behavior, but the police would not let her near him while they did their investigation. She was able to ride with him on the way to the psychiatric hospital, but the boy spent the night there alone, scared out of his mind.
This is not the first time the boy’s behavior was beyond unacceptable, but it’s not a reason to call the police. The school could have released the boy to his parents and helped them get help outside the school. It would have been better to suspend the boy or even expel him from school instead of calling the police. Putting any child in a psychiatric ward alone is any parent’s nightmare.
In addition to extending the seventy-two hour hold, the panel advocated for additional research to find effective ways to treat mental conditions. Most people will agree that the present mental health care system of today doesn’t work. Most will agree that people do have behavior problems and don’t have effective solutions. With that in mind, the panel’s idea sounds good, but the truth of the matter is something else.
What they should be doing with that “research” is look at all the horrific side effects of psychotropic drugs and find alternative treatments.
The panel also advocated a need to teach the employees of the school district how to identify symptoms that may indicate mental illness in its earliest stages. This is ridiculous! That means all employees are instant mental health professionals and are going to screen your children for mental illness. School employees are trained in education, not mental health. Having teachers screen for “mental illness symptoms” is not based on anything scientific.
The opportunities for misuse and disaster are unlimited if screening is implemented. Imagine getting a note from school saying your daughter is showing signs of depression and it is recommended that she see a psychiatrist and get some Prozac. This could be based on your daughter looking glum for a few days because she didn’t get invited to a birthday party. Science or random?
The Baker Act may have been written with good intentions, but today it is misused and unnecessarily used on a regular basis. An extension of the seventy-two hour hold would be catastrophic at the very least. Getting a thorough physical examination by a non-drug oriented doctor would be a smart start to get down to the bottom of the cause of one’s behavior.
Being committed against one’s will is truly a violation of one’s rights. Know your rights regarding the Baker Act and assert them if needed, as being Baker Acted could happen to anyone. Knowing your rights and facts will help you from becoming a victim of psychiatry, instead of becoming a patient on psychotropic drugs.
http://lakerlutznews.com/lln/?p=24160
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/police-hospitalize-7-year-old-under-baker-act/975987
Baker Act Is Harmful Not Helpful
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Sorry one more question he keeps saying I deserved it and wouldn’t happen if I didn’t act like this . I’m so sorry I’m fighting cancer alone I’m so sorry I had surguy and at 9 am u sent text to use card bit je cancelled it then and didn’t get me after I was u Der general surety that they had to end up not even doing the what was supposed to be done becuse they had to build grafts over hy heart the same one u sing ur arm at. I’m not perfect I do yell never used to . I’m told after all this me yelling g in pain and I say I’m in pain I’m scares what have u done he can’t talk won’t talk yelling he shuts doen well straight jackets and trying to poop inside me fyi I had no bra or underwear as I’m Indian I don’t wear so I was so exposed . I need to know if this is normal . I yelled yes so did he but I didn’t have him knowing my fears held tied down . There is a room they call solo like a basement no air flow and a cement rolling door out side the door u go in and there is a tone of people in a very small room. . As I read what a baker act is how do I met requirement a how can hospital not give med and say I’m not there patient but take all I c info ect and write script for nicotine patch. I don’t understand anything. As I said I’m frozen in fear now. And I don’t like to spend money o. A lawyer but I relize even if his 1st story true I’m still unsafe as if u don’t know what u said is bad a lie but he admitted to bigger but cop thst told me to shut up said it was him how do I find out what cN I do. This shouldn’t happen to anyone all I want is support my feeding tube weigjt gain stuff and to be able to use my energy to fight cance r not him as when I told him 3 weeks told I. A lier it doesn’t say tumer Dr’s cMe for dinner he was told. Then he said I’m a lier it doesn’t show radiation Nother 3 week ai showed him ok this is a paragraph that’s it. Help me guide me as to who to get records how to find out who did this and if recanted 7 minutes after I spoke to a therapist then who is responsible as hospital wrong scary place as u notice I cut even say the mane it’s lake county Florida. Wring police wrong husband wrong. I prey someone reposnds as all ur comments helped even the ones of people needing help as maybe someone cN guide her to a safe place not a baker act . .. there are people with these illness and they deserve respect and dignity and loved ones need resources.
Ist thank u all for ur stories as I’m sitting her awake at a redulas hour in shock. My husband and I have come across some hard times and I have cancer and he isn’t involved my story is strange I’ll be short as honestly I’m frozen in fear . The man I adored . 3 weeks ago my husband call Mets saying I hit my head I did not. He said he is drunk and can’t take to the hospital I don’t need a hospital I was making meat loaf after spending hours at lows anything not to be home . The home I adore proud of. They come and I do have past trams as my parents made the mistake at 11 to get the states help I. Witch time they lost there rights no reason. We ate not perfect but no drugs no drinking had everything . My parents lies to me as to were I was going. So please I won’t go on on that as ill take everyone a year to read this. Point is I’m not comfortable being trapped by aka medical , police . Anyone. I became an adult legally masupated atv14 and I made it collage yes home yes drugs no drink no. He is beyond awesr of this trauma actually he is sick of hearing about it sad thing I haven’t told him anything really. So the emts came 6 large men as the shrouded me they wanted my blood ok they called a Dr ok intalked to her anything was I pleasant not so much but ur in my home . I’ve never has a traffic ticket this is crazy the officer starts sitting so close actully in frount of my husband playing with my hair omg I begged my husband to sit with me 5 times as he is basically giving everything to them nothing they need to know. I keep asking him to come as this officer is so playing with me. Finally after asking him to stop God knows how many times . Also all the other emt even the one that took my blood keep back respectful . I have to tell good when good. Witch made this guy stick out way to much . I said if u don’t stop I’m calling the police I didn’t know he was the lutenint at the time I thought he was an emt i srood up and acted normal and left yes sounds horrabke but this isnt normal . I ran jumped a fence were 2 pit bills were do close just a mess as my area is very prestiane and not large my home is the 2nd highest on the hills im watching my husband that remember was soooo worried about me smoke watch his racing shoes and eat i was heart broken. I had no shoes now there are police they seached for me for 3 hours with out luck all inkept saying was if ur lost in a store stay there ull be found meaning dont stay. After they all lef i went home scared mad honestly disnt understand yes we have been fighting yes times are rough but so sorry my cancer that u refused to go to 1 radiation or chemo appt and not aloud to tak about it when he gets home. But this is insainty . He actly swanf his arm across my chest 76 lb to his 280 knocked wind out called them vack as my legs are bloodly this time all female ahmgain forcing me to hospital i went i was tierd i should be loved and my energy for cancer im hearbroken. Got there the dr. Said someone clean her legs i has to use the restroom they asked toncome in and ge a s ample so humiliating but I did and wow nothing wow no drinks either. She was passed at the new female emts that actully strapped me doen another scary pasr trigger . Ong im a 46 yearbold adult. She said why is she her ? She is fine what the hell . Let me go all 4 min. Now im stuck in bacd neighborhood no shoes or phone cabd closed holiday or something no one would help serouly all this tonper in a cup. He showed pissed bag all packet for me even brougjt me glasses thatbare not min lol told me i manipulated them i never spoke im tierd im sick. I didnt know emts can phycally hold u down and take unand send u a bill foe 1200. We got in an argument well we only argue but not al all 14 yeas so scary. He walked to a store as he has a truck i can use i said i can take u or u go then i go but no drama as he has open wonds from hot sand on feet open that he will loose his legs. Remember cancer also now covid possitive in liver faluer wirh gout flaring up and tempe lob epilepsy. But yes ur toe . He ends up running towrds me grabs my arms screMing ill ahow u how much i dint care. I fell as he is pushing me backwars in a highway. I slamed my head to the concerete 2 toenails gone as he grabs me again plus the skin of my ribs throws me to frount of reuch i left as blood gushing went to walgreens cleNed up as best as can went homw police . Oh ya they were he night before of report of male harming femal i alway say nothing but this is new to me. I was talking to some very mean even lies about badge # as i can remember 2 numbers thisninfound out later… they daid 2 separt people plus walgreen witnessed it in frozen as inside my husband did his i was in irag omg 30 yeas ago said ive been up deonking all day all nigj i dont drink. Said he didnt meanit im not rigjt these days as he has tried to get me help but they let me go 3 min later fyi got infection from dog poop.im an educated modest women i wouldnt wven write it but i helped me all of u did. He told them im covered in oil so he lost his grip omg why why would i be covered in oil. Now im being cuffed keep i. Mind infrint of people thst know me a decade power figuers not in this way. He did nothing cop said ue not being arrested then whats going on he also said he is baker acting me he said my hiusband didnt do it.. i only learned today of all the lies my husbant said as im protecting him god when i got there a women in the cornor as all linda nakeed becuse there is no ties aloud on gurney i asvt walked around looking for staff i could of walked right out bit go were this is reducusla and guess i didnt relizr what is next . As others said at 1st they talk like all normal then strip me to aeach chexked ares no one has ever touched as im stearing at the dirty pubic hair on tile. The womwn grunting another young cant hold hed up and pcan tell was pretty another flipping ahit over in an offivw a women took her poop as she had been keeping it long hard ish coing at me as another i can feel her fat naked body on my back holding me for the other she wanted to pit her poop in my warm stot i didnt get it toll she lofted my un tied shit they gave me were is any one well i did just walk i. And out throght hall ways. This isnr real my child trams i want them. Like cellsnand men one side women as sign has a maximum number of people for fire laws. I count roughly and wayyyy over then a bunch of large women actually held a young girl like q5 ong with he hospital gorn up pushed head down and bottom exposed to mens side i actually saw it i saw a little girl getting rapped by more then one and i quiquly learned this is normal as staff dont do shot law says to protect them swlfs they dont have to. Serouly murder someone u have a betternlife so half are so drugged drollong as i see knots in hair windering were are anyone and relized i have no one no parent he was my world my safyy my heart omg a love i sound like i belong there but u dont stop love in 2 seconds and at this time as he isnt well very smart as job yes anything else no as he k ows what can happen but i didnt know yet he did this i was told the cop did i actually was able tobget to an office calk him as now missed chemo pill and all other relayed meds. Bring them i thought id meat someone in charge Nd be gone. Also its only 10 minutes fro. Home why it took an hour well i was left in car in florida heat windows up for N hour i thought my husband must be sorry he never hit me befor he must be like were is she nope. Well now the officer that was playing with my hair at my home come lutient. And i was pit in streigjt jaket and i cant say what he did im sick this all was 3 days ago. Well during intake i couldnr thingk they ask do u have this or that then covid oh ya i do i tell u i love covid if i passed awsy id be better off as im not ok i cant go out aftaid of polivmce come one 2 dayd many say male hurting me witnesses. Cant be home he is here as he took a leave 30 days to show me how truly sorry he is from not being there for me with tratment thatbisnt fda approved but 13 of 16 100 percent healed i payed out of pocket as inc wouldnt cover not fda approve 157k sorry i want to live . But after car is more important as u forget who is who ect . Last 6 tratment my classic car broke he refused to take me as u cant miss a tratment ur theown out . All for nothing and im a looser as he said for wasting inheritance not his… so im dont know my future. Inget to regular hospital took forever but yes covid possitive s0 place cant take me i was so happy but they said im going out of state what??? I have no one never felt it now i do. As dave has now brougjt meds i begged for them dr went over meds asked whybthis whybthat ong same dr 5 yeats i wasnt given even my chemo again the people i call parents have alsimer and old now havent had dinner as i take care of them not for money for love but they dont know who they are and they would say there stressed dont tell tham. I relize there is gaurd i over heard them say husband says she is a runnner. I later find that when my husband dropped meds as he was with me i. Room he knows what i need when. I told him that cop qas her and the head nurse yes he was this nurse is tough still no water no food no meds hour 13 i was told i wasnt there patient im the mental places so they can t give me omg omg missed 6 treatment i think he wants me dead as he has stopped me from all treatment i find. This eomen kept telling me horror storys of that place i was praying no one can take me its not 1 am and as my husband left as i told him to god i think he would get im bull shit and stay in hospital find out whats going on try and get me out nope. He ststed he wasnt as scary place becuse he was waiting for my call serouly i had no call i just did it whst did he think this is a place were u sleep eat well get medical help and mental heath looked at as hey anyone can need a break as my life was prrfect i wven told him a few years ago not to let his bosses know what we have as he climbs the corparr ladder because they would be jealous and not increase pay. Fyi no morgage i bought home not him i keep seeing him in my salt water pool then my exlarge white over filled bed im so mad but so weak from the day..the mean nurse said afyrr he left have u read why ur hear i said no i didn’t even k ow i was coming i thougt they would arrest him so i was playing everything down even told husband dont open door as they cant do anything if we give no reason. Nope he does it all no i learn she is mean and warning me as this is how i find my husband is responsible i also found today god something new daily its been 3 days thst he signed paper at hospital to give up all privileges to know were i am how i am and he is awear they user more the legsl forse aloud and 6 month as he hands rhem our private inc and alot more he said he couldnt give me my meds if not he didnt anyways and he never read i believe nothing im feeling im nothing but not want to hurt myself . The bad cop shows he take me 23 miles short of geoga i cant speak of what happened as i dont know if i could tramitize someone as all inwrote is nothing compare to this let say the streigh jacket cMe out aorry failed to mention the 40 plus stiches i go in my head . As intold officers its iodine my fault but obviously easy to see. Im so stupied. He even got food at a rest stop i thougjt he was selling .me. his radio went off he freaked out frove no less then 90 . So now im back at hospital. So tierd need my meds as some are to calm down made for epilepsy i was guestioned why the number on box there is less of stuff becuse i dont carrybwith me never and he through in box and i ha e a large bottle i put new scriped in so now they wont agree with does i said call my dr but didn’t matter i never got anything i did get a nicotien patch took forever but wait u said 100 times im not ur patiant. I fail to mentio my first gaurd was 21 had a kid at 18 he ex doesnt pay enoughblive near my second home ya i could of walked out she was to sweet i didnt want to cause her issues plus wanted to show i have self restrain in stress beyond real. As obviously they dont know what the cops did but everything was to much as people look talk to u like urbtrash. I have brain scan because cancer i talk to therypest andd Nother . I ga e my husbands number as they wanted it and i figured if he is going tonlie get itbover with as i stull thought 72 hours i. Home keep cool. All of a sudden the dr who also i thought was rude and dry came in said its been recanted. And here are ur meds ur free to go. What they called Nd woke a judge as guess need one i dont know why i also was handed an opolagry with a thing to sign basiclky dont sue . I wouldnt sign . Ive never sues anyone but nice apologies ya protecting ur ass the dr took my hand actully smiles gave my hand a kind squees and now i lost it all the tears couldnt stop as i could of got away the door across is alway ipen but then what. He came and got me blames them and me if i didnt gonto walgreens this wouldnt happen no no ko. 2 people in cars called what why so mean he said go fucken shower i said cant he doeant kbow whT happened next day he tells me a little he did today he all put said she is nuts i was even snappy with theypiat as serouly 2 am covid passitive and cancer but wake me to ask me 30 ways the same question if i want to hurt myself i said i am gutting my second home who does thst i am having Lamborghini doors put on car fridsy inpick up bathing suits at tayler ya thsts omg i snapped . I went back i shouldnt have to husband should i shouldnt have to see that place as the fake welcome frount is gross but way different then what they dont see. I was told to go to a windo as my jewerly was there i thougjt inwas bothering her at lucnch ad it looked like ahe had a regular lize groesry bag like 20 subs delivered for staff ahe said no im the pharmist this is 1 peraon 3 day. I had to comein and fill . Omg omgno one should be onall that of anythingnor obviously its not working. Now i understand familys that truly have a loved one with resl issues and there overwelmed without help . But god this isnt the anser . In Arizona grosery stores have fay cate and each isle has a monitor sonu see ur lived ine. Why not in therae splaces as it holds staff to a standard . Im not ok he is threatming dauky to make sure im gone to another i called divorse attorny witch wa so hard im broken . He moved all his tools out becuse when im mad he thinks ill break them i said have i ever broke anything nope have u . Destoyed my fur destroyed my wedding rings by accidently thouwing them away . Now im un able to help me elder people im frozen . I went to police station god scared reporters not ready . Hospital should have alot to. As if im not ur patient how can u give me a nicotine patch but not water i begged begged for anything to eat again in the 79s not normally its the cancer no one would help me i understand they are doing there job but im human . I still dont understand . Did my husband or cops put me there as he said i even said i dont qant here baker acted in same bresth trying to get her help but she got out in 3 min omg i asked if he told then that was becuse u thought i hit my head as u were drunk he said no i said tell whole story. Im not safe if he would do this to me with zero zero remosrss as ive had to gontonwalk in dr as i cant go to a regular hospital becuse of something a cop did he didnt car i want to sue them i do but who . Again who baker acted me and why . So sorry this is so log it could be a book . Im alonr in this word and it crashed . I havent spolken to anyone seince thsi 3 days ago i have no one. I told someone i thought cared his bosses wife she never responded. 6 hours laterbhe gave me shit so he made me go out to eatm what the hell he k ows what happened he doesnt czre .divorce im scared i also actually called my agent to sell my dream home im not safe . I called divorc attory and only spoke a little not to attorneybtold them this and they said if im unsafe call police . Are u serou 2.times talek another hurasses in 1 month as my 4 broke. Toes 49npkus stickes in head. Please dont judge me as im awesr of how redulas this all sounds and my crazy lo g text. But help me know whatbto do if anyone knows please help i have no one im tierd and scared 24 7. If i divorce take everything per post nup i still lost what i thought was my forever . How csn i care he doesnt . What is wrong with me. I cant srop replaying everythi g that girl youn 30s i guess hair to her bra then a know like insain then hair grew out of it 6 imches . No one seen her obviously she is so drugged. How is a room full of alk tyoes of scary not that i judge but rape ya wanting to put poop up me ya . Some people need help and not getting help . Please never do this to anyone. As i left mezn nurse told me her husband has a rare deses she did it regreysbit as sh e watched on doorbell came and he now has extram ptsd. I do not even k ow who is responsible. Pleas advise is wanted . .
I was worried about my friend / roommate. She was unhappy about her lot in life and had often said she wanted to die. When she walked out the door and said “tell my mother I loved her,” I thought the time had come to take action. I did an internet search for “what to do when a friend talks of suicide” and found the National Suicide Prevention Center. Perfect, I thought, they will have professional counselors who will talk to her right now. No — “we don’t do calls” was their answer to my plea. “Call 911” was their only brilliant suggestion.
So I called 911. The operator opened the call with “Do you need police, fire, or medical?”
“Medical,” I answered.
“What is your address?” she continued.
“I don’t need help here, I want someone to call my friend and talk her down.”
“What is your address,” she pressed.
“I don’t need help here. Thanks, bye” and hung up in frustration.
Of course she quickly called me back to further insist, but then . . .
“Ding-dong,” said my front door bell.
Two police officers were here insisting on further information. I told them everything. I just want someone to call her. There were on it with gusto, searching the neighborhood when their attempts to call her were fruitless. They made me fill out a police report, detailing recent events. I thought that would be the end of it, “she’ll be home soon,” I thought.
But no — a couple of hours later, she called me from a strange phone number which turned out to be the psychiatric ward of a hospital 60 miles away, in the next county. She had driven 30 miles to a popular tourist destination to cheer herself up by doing some shopping and having a nice lunch.
Somehow, the local police found her just as she drove up to the restaurant, surrounded her, placed her in handcuffs and drove her 20 miles to the county hospital where she was relieved of her purse, cell phone, clothes and shoes.
She was in tears and terror. “I’m in jail,” she cried. “crazy people are here, men are touching me.” No one counseled or “evaluated” her during the first terrifying day Her only hope is that the psychiatrist will see her the next day and release her. Her fear is that they will keep her for the maximum 72 hours, maybe just for the insurance money.
Far from getting her help, I had thrown her into the pit. How is this supposed to encourage a person to stay alive? How was my weak testimony (my only relationship to her being “roommate) enough to do this horrible thing to her, right when she mostly needs kindness and understanding?
This is day two and I don’t yet know what will happen.
Please advise.
Please call our hotline 800-782-2878!
More about Volusia county. They force you to sign their paperwork with threats that if you don’t sign to participate voluntarily the doctor will have you committed involuntarily and will result in a longer stay. You don’t get to read the paperwork. It is either sign or be committed. All this takes place before they talk to you.
Then when you talk to the admitting nurse she understands your case and that you are not suicidal and yet you have to go through the full process. There is not a doctor in the facility for you to discuss your case with. Really, locking you up in a so called mental health facility without a doctor in the facility? No one to discuss my medical needs? No medical treatment the whole time I was there.
Where is the common intelligence in all this when it is clear that a mistake has been made. Where is the rights of the individual being detained? It is like being arrested when you didn’t do anything illegal!
The way the law enforcement officers treat you is less than desirable. First it is clear to any reasonable person that I had no intent to harm my self or anyone else. I was dressed for work, lunch in the back seat. It had been hours since I talked to anyone and I did not harm my self. What was the event that the officers felt I was an imminent danger to my self or others? What did I do that I had to be treated like a common criminal? Why were the cuffs on so tight that they left indentations? I even told them I had closterphobia and degenerative arthritis in my neck and shoulders, the the cuffs were hurting me, they did not care.
I am sure I will have more comments as I think of them. I am still recovering from the ordeal. I can’t imagine how someone who isn’t assertive would react.
i wanted to know if someone is baker acted can a parent sign release papers in their favor
A person being held under a Baker Act in Florida can only be released by a psychiatrist.
So, all those against Baker Act please tell me what should a family do when their adult child with schizophrenia is completely out of control. Let me also add that his meds did not make him violent. He became a violent delusional paranoid hallucinating storm due to the illness before he was even prescribed 1 medicine. The meds have helped to calm him down though not all the way. Before the illness he was a very mannerable, hard working, big teddy bear. Now his every thought is trying to kill or harm his hallucinations which I am very afraid he will mistake a real person for a hallucination. I’m very sorry that some have had bad experiences. I used to live in Vol county and didn’t like it. I’m back in Seminole co where I’m from. I don’t know what else to do when my son is punching a 2000+ sq yd block home so hard that the whole house shakes, or he’s arguing with his hallucinations so bad that he is constantly storming in and out of the house being very disrupted and thinks ppl are yelling things at him from passing cars. He is in programs, on meds, and has a case manager. Sometimes ppl do need to be baker acted. The alternative is wrecking alot of lives. I’ll be that person on the news saying I tried everything when he winds up harming some innocent person. Before that happens, I’lllbe calling for a Baker Act.
I am very sorry to hear about your son and what he and your family are having to endure. Having you looked into doctors like this one: https://kellybroganmd.com/vital-mind-stories-kim/ Kelly Brogan, M.D. is a holistic psychiatrist. While she is not in Florida she may have a referral for you.
Has anyone commented how people are treated in Volusia county when they are Baker Acted? If you didn’t have a problem before you get forced into the facility you will leave that place extremely traumatized!
Both the Volusia County Sherriff and the Deland police start by cuffing you. Then they stuff you into the back of a squad car. For someone who has never been arrested that itself is an ordeal. The cuffs were so tight they left indentations. I asked that be documented. Then they said the pictures were evidence and I could not have them.
Then when they get you to their facility they do a strip search like your a criminal. Bend over and cough! They force you to change clothes in front of them.
If you are on any meds like for thyroid issues, blood pressure, acid reflux, it does not matter they will not give anything to you. I sat there the whole time with acid reflux.
The food was substandard. Sorry, I dont consider undercooked chicken nuggets for one meal or over cooked chicken particle patty for another acceptable, especially when I told them I had crohns disease and needed particular diet. They kept trying to give me milk even when I told them I was lactose intolerant.
The conditions were atrocious. Restrooms with urine all over and commodes with overflowing waste. No one seemed to care. The beds were plastic boxes with thin foam pads. You were in a bed room with three other people they locked you in and turned out the lights at night. None of the chairs were padded.
There was so much noise because there was no noise cancellation. Each person was talking over each other. There was no where to go where it was quiet. There was nothing to do. There was so much noise you couldn’t watch TV. Nothing to read. No activities to participate in.
People were going crazy right in front of your eyes. People walking in circles, talking to them selves, singing for hours, staring the the walls. One person tried to kill himself with the phone cord while I was there.
The staff did not interact with you. They walked around with clip boards to see where you were and the rest were behind glass barriers. If you knocked the would slide a small window open and no matter what you asked they would say it had to be taken to someone else and then they would slide the window shut.
After meeting with the doc and determining there was nothing wrong with me it still took over three hours to get released! Is this a money thing? Did they want to charge my insurance more money for the extra meal they fed me? One that I didn’t want nor could I eat due to how sick to my stomach I was feeling because of the acid reflux.
This is the worst treatment I have ever seen and it seemed worse than the movie “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”!
Thank you for commenting. Unfortunately your story is not uncommon and whaat you experienced is abusive. Please fill out an abuse case form at this link: https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
some psychiatric hospitals house jail birds with people who are baker acted like creedmoor in nyc the place hasnt fixed their house
Hello, I was Baker Acted last week because a third party made threatens phone calls by hacking my phone number to my ex-instructor and one ex-classmate at my school that I quit the week before for personal reasons. My reputation was violated and I was sent to a mental hospital from my work place. I was treated like a criminal when I never did anything. I was 6 days at the hospital and the police never was able to tell me how those messages were sent and at what time! My phone was most of that day turned off. I need to know how to proceed because that was extremely unfair for my well-being and reputation, just because a “psycho” wanted to play a game with me. Thanks
Please fill out an abuse report form at this link: https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
I was recently baker acted and wasnt really sure why? But I was there for four days straight. After my release I have been feeling nauseated and horrible joint pain up and down my body to the point where I can’t sleep at night I don’t understand why this is happening to me but some hospitals don’t understand why as well. I feel like they put drugs in the food or something and now I’m detoxing off of it and I was in the detox area of the Baker act unit. I really feel like my rights have been taken and especially when they took numerous blood samples when I’m completely clean of any drugs or alcohol and I don’t believe in any wrongdoing on putting those kind of things into my body. I feel like there should be an investigation on the Baker act unit and see what they are putting into the food that they gives to those that are admitted into the Baker act unit.
Please call CCHR at 800-782-2878.
Hello, My Brother has been Baker Acted by my mom twice and 3 times on his own. He has a serious condition that no one seems to care to try and figure out. He has realized if he Baker Acts himself he can get off the street for 3 or 4 days. In the past year he has lost his job, got a DUI, his wife left him, been arrested for hit and run, lost his home and has lost all touch with reality. There is something seriously wrong with him and he keeps showing up at my Mom’s doorstep wanting to stay with her. She took him in for a few months at the beginning, but he constantly urinates and defecates on himself, drinks alcohol nonstop and abuses any medication he can find.
He needs to be evaluated by a professional and committed somewhere until he can regain his grasp on reality. He has been given the opportunity to stay at places that want to help him but always finds a reason why he can’t be there anymore. He gets in trouble for not following the rules at these facilities and then leaves saying “no one likes me here”. He tells my mom if she doesn’t let him live at her house he is going to die on the street. He is 38 years old and needs help! Is there someone that can recommend a way to get him evaluated and monitored in a correct facility?
As of today he walked from Sanford to DeLand where my mom lives. He showed up on her doorstep demanding she let him live there. After she refused and my stepdad offered to drive him back to the Mission in Orlando he ran to the hospital and told them he was going to kill himself so they would admit him for a few days. This cycle will continue until he gets the proper treatment. He is in constant denial about everything that has happened and blames others for everything that happens. He tried to drive away from the scene of his last accident with a totaled car saying it wasn’t that bad and they didn’t need to call the police.
Please contact me if you have any suggestions on how we can get him help. He will not stay anywhere voluntarily and would rather live on the street than help himself.
adam.rozek@gmail.com
I am very sorry to hear about your brother. I have forwarded this information to one of our case workers. You may also call 800-782-2878 and ask for Pat.
I brought my son to get a med filled he is 5 and they baker act him I have only been living here in Florida for about a month or two I am from c.t the worst part is when we went to see him were they put him the staff was abit mean to him and kind of yelling at him when the visit was over my son started crying cuz he wanted to come home with us they jumped on him to restrain him for large women pulling his arms yes he was very upset so he was struggling but the treated him like a animal. I told them that my other doctors said he like 3 year old so for them to do this my son broke my heart I still can’t breathe I want my son and moving back to c.t the doctors her have no patience I no he will have marks on him so I no they won’t release him tomorrow what are my rights for my 5 year old son
This is awful! A 5 year old! Please review the information at this link and then call CCHR tomorrow at 10:30am and ask to speak to Eileen. https://www.cchrflorida.org/involuntary-commitment-of-minors/ 727-442-8820
I told my mother that I hated her on the phone one day and she had me Baker Acted. No one hand-cuffed me or forced me on meds, but I was surprised how easy it was to be taken against my will while denying I was suicidal or depressed. I got out early. The whole day and a half I was there I kept insisting my mother had done this to me in retaliation and not because she was concerned I was suicidal.
She’s working her way back in my life again and I’m afraid that if I don’t give her my attention and pretend to love her she could pull something like this again. I just want her out of my life. I could have lost my jobs. The fee from the facility was waived, thankfully. I have bills from the ER though that have been sent to collections, so I keep my phone on silent and don’t answer it anymore.
I looked up how to get a restraining order against someone, but my situation doesn’t meet the criteria. Is there any way I can prevent this from happening to me again? Or do I have to leave the state?
Thanks from Pasco
Please call 800-782-2878 and ask for Eileen. She can help.
I had my daughter committed under the Baker Act not knowing that she would be sent to a facility that is terrible! She has an eating disorder with cutting episodes in the past. The facility is saying that she has suicidal ideations?! Never has my daughter ever mentioned suicide! How can you get your child OUT of the facility that is harming them???
Please call 800-782-2878 and ask to speak to Eileen. You and your daughter have rights and Eileen can help.
What legislation has been proposed lately to combat the misuse of the Baker Act? People are being abused under this law and then being charged for it. If authorities take it upon themselves to decide that someone is unstable then the cost of their “care” should fall on those people, not the victims who never asked for their “treatment” in the first place. I want to help. This is a disgrace.
Please email mark@cchrflorida.org and request to be signed up for legislative email alerts. Currently there are two bills that would amend the Baker Act to better protect children.
My husband got drunk and left 2 days ago and a cop saw him , the cop tried to say he was so drunk he was suicidal which he isn’t. I’m pregnant, my husband manages a store and we fear he will loose his job because of this. I have no electric or power in our home because he was to get his check yesterday from work to pay our bills but couldn’t. So me and my kids now are sitting in the heat, no food and we need him home. They accuse him of being a drug addict and threatened to keep him longer than 72 hours against his will because he was baker act 2 days ago. He sobered up and you could tell he was ready to go home and work, they told him they don’t care if he looses his jobs or his wife being home with no electric. Please, we just moved 1000 miles from home, it’s just us.
Please call our office at 800-782-2878
I would like to know my rights as the husband of someone who was baker acted?
Please call 800-782-2878 and ask to speak with a case worker. This person will be able to answer your question.
I went to a hospital for severe depression and anxiety. I’m in the middle of a huge court case. It’s been ages that I have had more than six hours of sleep. I went to the ER and they wanted me to talk to a Psychiatrist over the computer. I thought, okay, the would be a good deal. After a few hours they finally brought in the computer. Told the doctor what was going on. She said, I’m going to get you some medicine for sleep and the depression. I didn’t care about the depression. But, sleep. Heck yea. I would love a good nights sleep. I told them I had dogs at home and I’m their sole care taker. They are the only things I live for. I waited over four hours. Finally, I said, I have to go. I have to get home and take care of my dogs. The nurse said we are preparing you a room. I said “I’m not checking in. I just waiting for some medicine for sleep. The nurse said the doctor was in this back room and wanted to talk to me before leaving. I walked back to a back ward from the ER. They open this door to this psy room. Looked like something from a horror movie. My gut said get the heck out of there. I told the nurse, no, this doesn’t feel right. I’m leaving. He said, you can’t leave. I said, “sign me out AMA.”. He said “the doctor gave orders you can’t leave”. I bolted. They tried to stop me but I was out of that room and outside of the hospital in a flash. NOTHING, not even an army would have stopped me from getting home to my dogs. It was pouring outside. I ran through allies, peoples backyards, hopped fence. I ran three miles back to my house in the pouring rain and lighting storm. I got to my house and saw a cop car outside. I jumped a few fences and got into my backyard with no one knowing. Got into my house and protected my dogs. I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go back to a hospital or talk to mental health professional again. I will never speak about depression, sleep, or anxiety again. NEVER!!!!
My name is Louis Gonzalez. I am currently at Traditions Medical Center in Port St. Lucie Fl. My daughter has convulsions and now they told me that she is going to be put in Bakers Act because they think it’s psychological. Please call me at+15619095280
I am sorry to learn of your situation. Someone will contact you immediately.
My fiancee was Baker acted and I feel like they’re keeping her way over medicated because they are letting me speak to her on the phone but it’s been over 24 hours and she still doesn’t know where she’s at what’s going on and she thinks things are happening that are not. She signed a waiver saying they could tell me information but they won’t this happened over taking some kind of drug. She’s been clean for over a year and she would never take a hallucinogen. She voluntarily went for help. Now her mom is trying to have her committed and making stories up. Can someone please help me. The times I have talked to her and she was lucid she’s begging me to come get her but they won’t even let me see her until after the 72 hours so I’m scared that they’re trying to keep her longer and I don’t know what to do
A member of our staff will contact you immediately.
What’s the rule on being examined when you’re baker acted. My friend was baker acted improperly. She’s been there for over 24 hours and has not yet seen the psychiatrist, let alone an examination. I know I read somewhere, though I can’t find it now, that they have to be seen and had an exam within 24 hours of arriving, even if it’s through the emergency department. This friend has private insurance so I know they’re milking it for all the money they can get.
You can find the statute here: https://www.cchrflorida.org/question-and-answers-about-the-florida-involuntary-commitment-law-the-baker-act/
If you friend is not out by 10am tomorrow morning, please call 800-782-2878 and someone at CCHR will help walk you through what you can do to help.
what happens when you are backer for third time
There is no limit to the number of times a person can be Baker Acted and no additional measures taken for being Baker Acted more than once. This response is based on our understanding of the law but is not meant to provide legal advice.
The VA in Tampa is violating the Baker Act law on a regular basis for patients who have reported only having 1 meal a day, patients who were disoriented or refused to take preacribed non-psychiatric meds. Doctors are using it not to because patients are an imminent threat to themselves or others or unable to care for themselves but using it as a power trip to force patients to have medical procedures or take non-psychiatric medication that patients have a right to refuse under the informed consent law
Thank you for this information. Please consider filling out an abuse report form at this link: https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
Martha Harrell your story is almost identical to mine. I also want to prevent this from happening to other perfectly sane individuals. I am not in the USA.
The psychologist asked my son over and over to give her just one example of why he believes I need to be admitted to hospital for mental observation, he could not, so she unfortunately referred me to psychiatry.
My psychiatrist could find nothing wrong with me, when I voluntarily admitted myself for 72 hours observation. I did this to quell my ex-husbands (and his wife) need to have me committed for things I never did. He has turned everybody against me who I tried to go to for help against his flying monkeys, even family and authorities. Soon he got those people to turn against me also with slander and gas-lighting.
I passed every test with flying colours. There is this no physical or psychiatric evidence that I am “borderline schizophrenic” – Clear brain scan, clear blood and urine tests, all sister reports say nothing wrong with me and signed by all the hospital sisters over a two week period.
My ex husband and his wife got my son to lie to the psychiatrist, who based her entire diagnosis (according to her own admission and also according to her own colleague’s admission) on what my son told her, none of which made sense or was logical – For instance I have many friends, but because my son doesn’t know them or met them, he claims I have none – Another example: My son told the psychiatrist that because I travelled overseas and my attempt to immigrate failed, that I have a mental disorder – Apparently if you divorce twice you have a mental disorder also. And so on ….
My psychiatrist refused to allow me to respond, and had me admitted for 72 hours, prescribing pills for me on the spot. When I said I don’t want to be admitted anymore because you are not hearing me out, she held me there against my will. I decided to go through with the 72 hours, but right before the time to be discharged the psychiatrist doubled my medication and told me she is keeping me longer for more observation and when I asked how much longer she said that she cannot say.
There was sweet nothing to do there, no TV, no internet, no books, nothing. Nobody awake enough to speak to, or nobody who spoke my language to speak to, I got no visitors, other than my second ex husband who brought me a few things. Everything, clothes, etc were taken away from me. Not even allowed out of the ward to the tuck shop downstairs or to sit in the sun.
I borrowed clothes and ran away from the hospital to my uncle, but my ex told him that it is against the law to keep me there so he returned me out of fear, even though he did go to the hospital to try to fight my case, but in the end he and his wife believed the psychiatrist and my ex, his wife and my son, over what I was saying to him.
On return to the hospital, I got locked up in a cell, It was a nightmare I don’t wish on my worst enemy. I won’t go into details, but I saw and experienced things there which I know are just another form of abuse. I had to use my wits to persuade the security guard to let me shower or use the toilet, for one example. I got completely ignored in the cell, as if I was some kind of violent dangerous animal to be avoided, yet I was quiet and well behaved, just like before I ran away from the hospital. Four people died while I was there. The one was not even given water or shown TLC before she died of rape. I was the one who comforted the patients there, brought them tea, warmed up their food, mopped the floors before I ran away and returned to be locked up. I had no visitors for the next week.
Finally I charmed and begged my psychiatrist into discharging me, because I saw she had a big ego.
Unfortunately now, my son follows me around trying to start an argument or fight, even if I move away, and every time I disagree with my son, he threatens to have me admitted in the hospital again. I live in constant fear, because I know that any negative speak about me is enough reason for the psychiatrist to have me admitted again. I keep to myself as much as possible, to avoid this. For a very social person this is difficult, but I must do it for my own sake.
Once a month I must spend three hours in the hospital waiting for medication which I don’t need. You see I passed all my tests, but the Psychiatrist is refusing to give me any results. So I cannot prove she is wrong and I am perfectly sane. My ex husband, his wife and my son have already told everyone I have a mental disorder. I therefore cannot get work or find love again.
I also cannot prove I am normal, because the psychiatrist is refusing to give me my results. I also cannot get her colleague to give me my results. Her colleague told me in front of a witness, that her diagnosis is based solely on what my son told her – (through his father and stepmother’s coaching.)
I have tried to get help from social workers, police, family, friends, you name it and nobody wants to give me the time of day because they simply do not believe my story. They believe my abusers over me. The ex and his wife lied to police and to the shelter where I tried to go to. Even the shelter doesn’t want me.
I recently returned from overseas where I was for two years, and I have nowhere to go, because these narc abusers keep jeopardising all my efforts to stand on my own two feet again and build a new life back in my country again.
Now here is the real surprise:
I never took any medication – I only pretended to, to this day. Not even when I was under hospital observation. Why not? Because I wanted all tests (which I passed) and the daily observations of me, to be completely unbiased – In other words, I wanted the results to be based on my behavior when fully compis mentis, NOT when all drugged up. I did test the pills, I had one or two (it was several different kinds), just to see what it does to me, and it knocked me out cold. So in other words they were planning to observe me while I was sleeping daily and nightly 24/7 like the others?
Oh, no, I am not that stupid.
But I am also not clever enough to get this toxic three out of my life, to stop trying to interfere with me. I am also not clever enough to figure out how to get the results from the hospital. I asked, that didn’t work. If I have the results I can prove I am sane.
I am trying to find work, but in the meanwhile I have failed to find a pro bono psychologist to test me. When you have no money nobody is there for you in my country. Everybody merely refers you to the next one and the next one and the next one, until you just give up. I plan to get the results and use them to get help in the future. I have one leg and I was assaulted by these three before for no reason, simply because they have too much hate in them. With this paper in my hands police will have to listen to me and not them.
Previously my son assaulted me when I asked him if he wants a cup of tea. I kid you not. Later on when I asked him why he hates me so much, he said the following to me: “It’s because you’re too nice mom”.
I asked my ex husband why he married me if he hates me so much, he said the following, “I married you only for the sex so I don’t have to pay prostitutes”.
I will find a job, in this really bad job market, break free, obtain my test results, and cut everyone off who was not there for me when I needed them the most. I was always there for them. I will never look back. I will not answer their calls. I will just go off the radar completely. As if I never existed. I was never appreciated. I was always a wonderful person to them all.
What a psychotic narc does is he brainwashes the ones you love the most. I lost my nearest and dearest people this way, my mom, uncle and my son.
The psychologist asked my son over and over to give her just one example of why he believes I need to be admitted to hospital for mental observation, he could not, so she unfortunately referred me to psychiatry.
My psychiatrist could find nothing wrong with me, when I voluntarily admitted myself for 72 hours observation. I did this to quell my ex-husbands (and his wife) need to have me committed for things I never did. He has turned everybody against me who I tried to go to for help against his flying monkeys, even family and authorities. Soon he got those people to turn against me also with slander and gas-lighting.
I passed every test with flying colours. There is this no physical or psychiatric evidence that I am “borderline schizophrenic” – Clear brain scan, clear blood and urine tests, all sister reports say nothing wrong with me and signed by all the hospital sisters over a two week period.
My ex husband and his wife got my son to lie to the psychiatrist, who based her entire diagnosis (according to her own admission and also according to her own colleague’s admission) on what my son told her, none of which made sense or was logical – For instance I have many friends, but because my son doesn’t know them or met them, he claims I have none – Another example: My son told the psychiatrist that because I travelled overseas and my attempt to immigrate failed, that I have a mental disorder – Apparently if you divorce twice you have a mental disorder also. And so on ….
My psychiatrist refused to allow me to respond, and had me admitted for 72 hours, prescribing pills for me on the spot. When I said I don’t want to be admitted anymore because you are not hearing me out, she held me there against my will. I decided to go through with the 72 hours, but right before the time to be discharged the psychiatrist doubled my medication and told me she is keeping me longer for more observation and when I asked how much longer she said that she cannot say.
There was sweet nothing to do there, no TV, no internet, no books, nothing. Nobody awake enough to speak to, or nobody who spoke my language to speak to, I got no visitors, other than my second ex husband who brought me a few things. Everything, clothes, etc were taken away from me. Not even allowed out of the ward to the tuck shop downstairs or to sit in the sun.
I borrowed clothes and ran away from the hospital to my uncle, but my ex told him that it is against the law to keep me there so he returned me out of fear, even though he did go to the hospital to try to fight my case, but in the end he and his wife believed the psychiatrist and my ex, his wife and my son, over what I was saying to him.
On return to the hospital, I got locked up in a cell, It was a nightmare I don’t wish on my worst enemy. I won’t go into details, but I saw and experienced things there which I know are just another form of abuse. I had to use my wits to persuade the security guard to let me shower or use the toilet, for one example. I got completely ignored in the cell, as if I was some kind of violent dangerous animal to be avoided, yet I was quiet and well behaved, just like before I ran away from the hospital. Four people died while I was there. The one was not even given water or shown TLC before she died of rape. I was the one who comforted the patients there, brought them tea, warmed up their food, mopped the floors before I ran away and returned to be locked up. I had no visitors for the next week.
Finally I charmed and begged my psychiatrist into discharging me, because I saw she had a big ego.
Unfortunately now, my son follows me around trying to start an argument or fight, even if I move away, and every time I disagree with my son, he threatens to have me admitted in the hospital again. I live in constant fear, because I know that any negative speak about me is enough reason for the psychiatrist to have me admitted again. I keep to myself as much as possible, to avoid this. For a very social person this is difficult, but I must do it for my own sake.
Once a month I must spend three hours in the hospital waiting for medication which I don’t need. You see I passed all my tests, but the Psychiatrist is refusing to give me any results. So I cannot prove she is wrong and I am perfectly sane. My ex husband, his wife and my son have already told everyone I have a mental disorder. I therefore cannot get work or find love again.
I also cannot prove I am normal, because the psychiatrist is refusing to give me my results. I also cannot get her colleague to give me my results. Her colleague told me in front of a witness, that her diagnosis is based solely on what my son told her – (through his father and stepmother’s coaching.)
I have tried to get help from social workers, police, family, friends, you name it and nobody wants to give me the time of day because they simply do not believe my story. They believe my abusers over me. The ex and his wife lied to police and to the shelter where I tried to go to. Even the shelter doesn’t want me.
I recently returned from overseas where I was for two years, and I have nowhere to go, because these narc abusers keep jeopardising all my efforts to stand on my own two feet again and build a new life back in my country again.
Now here is the real surprise:
I never took any medication – I only pretended to, to this day. Not even when I was under hospital observation. Why not? Because I wanted all tests (which I passed) and the daily observations of me, to be completely unbiased – In other words, I wanted the results to be based on my behavior when fully compis mentis, NOT when all drugged up. I did test the pills, I had one or two (it was several different kinds), just to see what it does to me, and it knocked me out cold. So in other words they were planning to observe me while I was sleeping daily and nightly 24/7 like the others?
Oh, no, I am not that stupid.
But I am also not clever enough to get this toxic three out of my life, to stop trying to interfere with me. I am also not clever enough to figure out how to get the results from the hospital. I asked, that didn’t work. If I have the results I can prove I am sane.
I am trying to find work, but in the meanwhile I have failed to find a pro bono psychologist to test me. When you have no money nobody is there for you in my country. Everybody merely refers you to the next one and the next one and the next one, until you just give up. I plan to get the results and use them to get help in the future. I have one leg and I was assaulted by these three before for no reason, simply because they have too much hate in them. With this paper in my hands police will have to listen to me and not them.
Previously my son assaulted me when I asked him if he wants a cup of tea. I kid you not. Later on when I asked him why he hates me so much, he said the following to me: “It’s because you’re too nice mom”.
I asked my ex husband why he married me if he hates me so much, he said the following, “I married you only for the sex so I don’t have to pay prostitutes”.
I will find a job, in this really bad job market, break free, obtain my test results, and cut everyone off who was not there for me when I needed them the most. I was always there for them. I will never look back. I will not answer their calls. I will just go off the radar completely. As if I never existed. I was never appreciated. I was always a wonderful person to them all.
What a psychotic narc does is he brainwashes the ones you love the most. I lost my nearest and dearest people this way, my mom, uncle and my son.
I was baker acted and it was horrible the staff was rude and the first hospital I went to was Tampa general they put me in a room with all kinds of things I could of hurt myself with I will never go to the hospital to get help for depression again I will suffer in silence I won’t go through that again
I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Please visit this link and fill out an abuse case form – https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
Where can someone go to get help without insurance but you don’t want this relative to be baker acted? The 2a info on who can be backer acted describes my relative. Please provide me with info as soon as possible . Thank you very much.
Hi Peggy, Someone will contact your immediately or please feel free to call is at 800-782-2878.
Our 16 year old son Trace called a suicide hotline at 3 in the morning because he was feeling depressed and didn’t want to wake his father up. He just wanted someone to talk to. Three cops arrived at his father’s house shortly after. His father requested to be allowed to handle the situation and JSO officers said they had to take him to Riverpoint and it is a good facility. His father requested to be the one to take him and again the officer said no, they had to take him. He said that Trace would probably be released in the morning as this case was mild and they usually reserve the 72 hour hold for more immediately serious situations. Riverpoint called his father a couple of hours later and told him they were keeping him for 72 hours. They didn’t ask for consent. They told him our son was being kept. They asked for consent to give him maalox in case his stomach became upset. His father made them aware that he doesn’t consent to any medications what so ever and wouldn’t consent to anything until he was able to review and sign everything. They said he could come to riverpoint in the morning to sign off on everything. He went to riverpoint this morning to speak with them and he was informed that the police officer signed him in for a 72 hour hold. This cop took the decision to handle our son away from us, declined to allow his father to even accompany him and lied to his father that he’d most likely be released in the morning and not held since he’s not that detrimental of a case and has a supportive family. He turned around and took our son in requesting that they hold him for the 72 hours. My son’s father didn’t sign anything other than general information forms and medical records release forms as he noted that all the other forms said voluntary and neither my son or his father agreed or voluntarily wanted the 72 hour hold. His father made it clear that we could get him appropriate help outside of them. Our son is still there, his father was told he still had to see the doctor first and the doctor had to switch it from involuntary to voluntary before he could be released.
What is our recourse?
I am very sorry to hear about what happened to your son. Please call us at 800-782-2878.
My brother was Baker act yesterday and I am desperately trying to find him. He is homeless and addicted to drugs in need of medical assistance for a Hep B and C diagnosis he just received which is scaring him to death. To the point he has become suicidal because I took him to the hospital who refused to help him. Please help.
Please call us at 800-782-2878
My wife went to hospital because she had a breakdown. She has type 1 diabetes so they spent 3 days treating that and never sent anybody to talk to her (counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist). As soon as she was cleared For diabetes they told us she was baker acted and wouldn’t let her go. It’s now been 5 days and she finally got into a psychiatric unit and still hasn’t been seen by any form of psychological doctor. This hospital is just dragging there feet collecting insurance money all the whole hurting my wife and daughter because my daughter isn’t allowed on the unit because she is only 7
Someone from our office will contact you as soon as possible or you can call us at 800-782-2878
I was put under a forced baker act on 5/1/2017. I had posted to facebook that I don’t want to be here anymore. I was upset at the time and just wanted to get my thoughts out. I had no intention of harming myself. The deputies came and got me while I was at work. Pulled me outside and asked if I knew anyone from California. I told them no. They asked me if I posted online and I said yea I was upset but I’m fine now. The deputy told me that since I posted that online it is the law that he take me in for a baker act. I started crying of course. My boss and her supervisor were in the building watching, it was humiliating.
When I got to the facility (Springbrook Hospital in Spring Hill, Fl) I was told to remove my clothing, bra, and underwear. I told the guy I was on my period what am I supposed to bleed everywhere, he then said I could keep my underwear. I was there for about three hours before I was accessed by anyone. I was told told that since I had no health insurance they would find a place to send me. If they couldn’t find a place to send me in that allotted time they had to admit me. I was there for 36 hrs! Never admitted, was refused my meds, and when I was having panic attacks was treated by the staff on duty like I was a trouble maker. They kept threatening that if I didn’t calm down the Dr would not release me. They kept me along with several other people in a small hallway that had few rooms and kept it below 70. When I finally did see a Dr he told me that I just used my get out of jail free card because he should admit me because I was emotional while speaking to him. I guess I should have been smiling and doing cartwheels.
They wouldn’t let me dress until my ride was literally in the parking lot. They gave me my clothes, got my wallet and phone out of the safe, and I had to ask them twice for my meds which were sitting in a Ziploc bag on top of some files. Funny that my wallet and phone are put in a safe but not my medication which is classified as a controlled substance. I never received or signed any log listing my property. When I got home I went to take a klonopin so that I could go to sleep and my meds were gone! I had 4.5 pills in the bottle there was one whole pill and two small pieces. I called up there and the lady in admittions agreed that there were 4.5 pills and when I told here that there were some missing, she said I had to come up to the hospital and speak with whoever was there during my intake.
I went there this morning and recorded the entire conversation. They were trying to tell me that what I currently have in the bottle now is what I came in with. I asked them if they record the phone calls from admissions and gave them the exact time that I called. Even told them I was never given anything to sign. I asked for paperwork and here’s the kicker, they said they have none to give me because I was never admitted. Then why was I held against my will for 36 hrs?! I really need help because I have been baker acted before 4 other times voluntarily and have never been treated so inhuman. They need to be investigated and shut down.
Some one from CCHR will contact you or you can fill out an abuse report form online on our website at https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
id like to ask about alternatives to voluntary bakeracting or if I go ahead and do this will it actually help?
I was diagnosed as hypomanic bipolar 2014 after seeking medical treatment. Ive got severe anxiety and depression. My symptoms are environment based. I got worse in 2015 after losing my job and significant other. Ever since then I just cant seem to catch a break, if its not the people in my life being petty, careless and unsympathetic or not being able to make a self sufficient living my predicament just gets worse and worse and I cant get into a place to recover. I have no emotional support systems and im going unmedicated. I would like help if possible but I havent the money or healthcare.
im facing possible homelessness, living with an abusive alcoholic who doesn’t understand or care about who he’s dealing with. Im a boxer by hobby, which I use to help focus and siphon my overactivity. It would be far too easy for me to hurt this man. im not a violent person but I get very upset, feel cornered and disrespected and im afraid im going to involuntarily hurt this person. I cant get away, I cant turn the other cheek and I cant medicate.
I need something, some help to get control of myself and get my life in order before I end up in jail for doing something I dont want to do.
Someone from CCHR will contact you or you may call us at 800-782-2878.
I to was a victim of abuse and labeled by the system. How can I vindicate this and clear my name and records, now 14 years later. I to have a nightmare of a story to tell. I thought this was American where people have rights. A felon, murderer, a drug offender, an alcoholic with a DUI, even a terrorist, are guaranteed the right to counsel or a lawyer, these people have rights. Someone who is Baker Acted has no rights and no voice to defend themselves. How can a victim vindicate themselves when they have no voice or power, People who are Baker Acted have no voice, and are victims of a bad law made by Congress. Congress does not have a reputation of passing good laws. A person who is Baker Acted, they have no Advocate to talk to, or defend them or to tell their side of the story. Perhaps the law should be changed by Congress to guarantee that a patient have an advocate to speak and represent them.
Your advice on how to to get justice, and clear my records and restore my good name, would be most helpful.
Hello my family is in a situation right now in which we feel like we have no control. My daughter is 23 yrs old but intellectually younger, she calls the hotline to speak to people and always end up Baker Acted. Well Pehms in Pinellas Park is very tired of seeing my daughter the scheduled a hearing in which they did not give us notice of (my daughter was terribly drugged) and didn’t let us know until the day before. I wasn’t able to go because I also had to have my Mom in the Hospital that morning. Anyhow my Fiance went, he doesn’t have the experience with this as I do. She ended up being appointed a Guardian and being told that they will be sending her to the State Hospital. The Guardian knows Nothing about my daughter and won’t speak to me or my daughter, she also apparently says Yes to every drug that they prescribe her. It’s sickening and disgusting. I’m afraid to get a call that something has happened to my daughter. She was losing her vision, unsteady gait, chest pains, drooling, heavy tongue and had to.go to the hospital twice. The Doctor won’t talk to me or anything, nurses don’t speak up. I have video of the Director saying that the drugs are a bit too much for her. HELP US PLEASE…..going to see my daughter has me crying as I leave. I need to change her diet to vegan and we believe in natural things not poisonous medications. If she refuses meds they say that she is trying to commit suicide. She is now having symptoms of hypertension and is giving her blood pressure meds but it’s because of the meds that it is high. Please help us. I called Disability Florida and they say that she needs to call because of her age. We need help before they harm my child worst than they already have.
Thank you for contacting us. Someone will reach out to you from our office.
My daughter has been baker acted twice in one month. Both times for the same reason, her dad is abusing her. DCF goes and checks thing out (if they accept the case) open/close the case, cause daddy has money. Well, mommy pays for everything. My daughter expressed to her LMHC about what types of abuse is going on. She has told DCF. She has told everyone!!! The emergency petition said her dad had a gun, she knew where it was, next attempt she would be successful. The judge still ordered her over there!!! Everyone is in shock!! It’s supervised visitation, his mother is the supervisor!! Give me a break!! My daughter is a great kid. 12 years old taking 2 high school classes. Just took the SAT. Unfortunately her dad is slowly killing her!! I have hit a brick wall!!! I don’t know where to turn anymore. We need help, and we need it now!!! Otherwise I’ll be planning a funeral next time!!
If you have not yet been contacted by our office please call us at 800-782-2878.
Last week my brother,,,voluntarily went to a mental hospital looking for help with the depression he is suffering and because he thought he was not thinking good. He had insomnia for about 2 months. I went with him hopping a mental physician evaluate him and help him with his situation, he entered with the same wish,, I didn’t see him more that day, a doctor place a baker act for him,,, the next time I saw him was at the mental facility they sent him. He was disappointed because of the procedure and everything depressed more, but he was optimistic even the bad moments the medications for depression and insomnia will help him.
He followed all instructions and even book an appointment with a mental specialist.
Two days after taking medications he tried to committed suicide. Thank God he is alive after surgery. The officer at the scene place a baker act for him. He was under medications for depression and insomnia that can cause suicide thoughts.
Right now he is getting better from the surgery and feels better with the current treatment it think to pass again through baker act facility is killing everybody.
He has the will to treat his whichever medical condition.
What can we do?
I am sorry to hear your story. Someone from our office will call you or you can call us at 727-442-8820.
My mom was baker acted by my sister last night who was drunk. My mom was drinking too but not a danger to herself or others, they were arguing so my Sister called 911. They believed my sister and my poor mom is in an institution now. She does not need to be there, she is going through a bad divorce and had a fight with my sister. Please help, what do I do for my mom? 561-674-1102. Kbuckholz625@gmail.com
I am sorry to hear about what has happened and have forwarded your message to one of case workers.
Please call me. At 305 9622301. I am at the emergency room with my 15 year old daughter that tried to commit suicide and they are going to baker act her to Joe DiMaggio phsyciatric ward. I just want to be inform and make sure we are doing what is best for my daughter
I am following up to make sure that you were called. If not please call us at 727-442-8820.
I was involuntary baker acted by a individual from another state that is just a friend on my Facebook. She is not a personal friend nor do I communicate with her. She had misread a post I had posted. I was awakened by three deputies at 12:30 am. They told me they were there because this individual had called and told them I was suicidal. They wanted to look at my text so I gave them my phone to look at the text because that is not was was in my post. The deputy proceeded to go through my complete phone without permission. My daughter was at home, her fiance, and my fiance. None of them were asked if I was suicidal. They asked me to step outside to talk to me and never asked a question just handcuffed me. I have never had a mental illness, have never used any form of drug’s, and never been in trouble for anything. I’m 49 yrs old and this happens. I was discharged the next morning by the psychiatrist with no problem. My point is now it is on my record and I’m getting billed by the facility when there was no reason for me to be there.
Unfortunately your story is all too common. Thank you for sharing your story and someone from CCHR will contact you.
I need help to get my daughter out of Gracepoint in Tampa by Monday so she can make her first appointment with her doctor. I don’t trust the system Please call me as soon as you can at 813 777 4537
I believe you are now in touch with and receiving assistance from one of our case workers. Please call us at 1-800-782-2878 to help you resolve this.
our dad had vascular dementia lung cancer and was taken to the hospital and under a phys ward and they gave him physc drugs they didn’t understand that it was the dementia causing his outburst and it made him worse he us now on the pallative care unit and a proxy my sister was assigned but they won’t let immediate family such as myself or my brother speak to a nurse over the phone. what is the correct protocol
I am sorry to hear about your father. Please review the information found here: https://www.cchrflorida.org/involuntary-commitment-law-in-florida/ or call us at 800-782-2878.
When police use their discretion under the baker act statute must they inform you that you’re being baker acted and is the receiving facility obligated to do same. I was baker acted 3 times withon a month in 2014 neither police nor receiving facility informed me as to why i was being involuntarily committed. Was not even allowed to contact family.
I was baker acted at 16 because my mom was worried about me so the police came. I don’t think I was arrested but I was at some place for the whole 72 hours and prescribed antidepressants and talked to a counselor and went through the whole shpeel. I’m trying to become a police officer and I know they do a thorough background check and I’m concerned that maybe that would come up and disqualify me.
Hi! I dont know if you are reading this but they will not disqualify you when they do your background check because baker acts go under your medical history. What they look at is your criminal record, and it is not a crime to get mental help!
My husband baker acted me, while he was the one taking the blue roxycodone pills and on alcohol, he has been to a detox center 3xs, and has always had a very addictive and pusher personality. We were having other marital issues and he decided to do this to me and lied about everything, all the things he did. My kids were crying and in shock screaming at him how could you do this to mommy, I was very calm asked to kiss my kids and told them I would be fine. What I saw and endured there was amazing, and when I got home my kids told me daddy told us that now if anything were to ever happen between us they’ll think she’s crazy and you can stay with me. Incredible ! I found out phone records of him calling escort services and all the while he was also speaking to his dad which they do not like me. I cannot seem to trust him and feel he is framing me still. He is verbally abusing me to the point he’s almost getting violent and my children are very scared. I feel threatened for my life and my children and he knows I have no where to turn to
Thank you for contacting us. I am sorry to learn of your situation and someone will contact you.
My husband was Baker acted during Hurricane Matthew. We had evacuated with our two cats because we live on the Intracoastal. We had come back during the night as soon as the storm passed, but couldn’t get into our neighborhood due to downed trees. We were going to wait in a parking lot until daylight so we could walk into the neighborhood to see if our house was damaged. My husband has Alzheimers, had not had his meds all day, had not had any food or drink, and was seriously out of his comfort zone. He began to hallucinate that he was in his home state (NJ) and he had to get home to his children, and would not listen to anything I was saying. I told him we’d go home at daylight, but he just became more frantic that he had to go NOW. He’s had these spells before, at home, his neurologist says it’s normal for Alzheimers patients when they’re seriously stressed, and I normally just give him a dose of his meds. He threw my purse out of the car and when I got out to pick it up, he jumped in the driver’s seat and drove away with the cats. I called 911 because I was afraid he’d drive into a retention pond with all the water around from the hurricane or have an accident and he had our cats with him. He had actually stopped to ask a police officer for directions (to NJ) and that officer brought him back to the parking lot where I was with another officer. I told them repeatedly that he has Alzheimers, I had not expected him to hijack the car, and he needed his meds and food and water. I told them this happens to Alzheimers patients, I can handle it, I do about three times a week, it will be OK. No. They insisted on Baker acting him even though I was standing right there saying I can handle this, he isn’t dangerous, just distraught, and we just want to go home. They took him away with me saying if he’s out of his comfort zone now, what do you think it will be like at the Mental Health Resource Center when I’m not there to reassure him? I was told to call the MHRC in about three hours. I called, was told he never should have been brought there, and I could come take him home. I went to the MHRC only to be told I could NOY take him, he had to go to the emergency room for evaluation. Again, I’m standing there saying he doesn’t want to go, I say there’s no reason for him to go to the hospital, he needs to go home, and I was told they’d call the police on me if I didn’t quiet down. Five hours later he was released from the ER. As his wife and caretaker, they NEVER listened to me and ended up traumatizing me, my husband, and our cats, who were in the car the whole time, unable to return home. The police were polite but unresponsive to me, and I’m sure I know a lot more about Alzheimers than all of them combined. My son is a senior corporal on the Dallas Police force, and he said they would have released him into my custody as his wife and responsible caretaker, and not have taken him to a mental facility.
Thank you for your comment and I am very sorry tohear about your experience. Someone from our office will contact you.
I am currently being held against my will as I was Baker acted after making a call to a crisis hotline which I thought I was doing to just have someone to talk to. The cops beat on all my doors and windows and threatened to break them all in if I didn’t let them in and when i did they brutally handcuffed me(I have bruises and swollen wrists) and they took my service dog away and stole his food from my house. They also went through my house without my permission. I’ve been told that if I don’t give blood for lab work this other facility won’t take me and I said good because i don’t want to go there! So now they’re getting mad at me because they want me out of the Bay Pines er and I said just find a doctor and let me go home. This has been way more traumatic to me than what I was originally going through and I just want to go home!
Thank you for contacting us, someone will reach out to you ASAP.
I was Baker acted 2xs. And I had Dcf called on me 4xs. My ex husband whom I have an injunction on made the false calls and accusations. My experience is that anyone could call the police and say that you were crazy and they will take you away. Innocent people. If someone wants to break up with you or they are vendictive its a revengeful situation. I was cavity searched. No drugs or alcohol. I refused to take there drugs! I hung out with the staff. I was released both times with no mental illness. It was so uncalled for. I had small children at the time. They saw the officer take me away. Both times. I was treated as a criminal only because I was crying. I had been very abused by my ex and lucky to be alive. Justice took his side. The officer told me to sit and shut! Over and over Like a dog. So much for women and childrens safety. DCF was wonderful!!!!! They even went to court on my behalf. Will this be on my record? Im undergoing a background check for employment.
We are very sorry to learn of your Baker Acting. Have you filed an abuse case report form with us at https://www.cchrflorida.org/report-psychiatric-abuse/
I was recently Baker acted.
I told the officer I didn’t want to go, my wife told him I wasn’t going to hurt myself.
Upon arrival to the facility I was instructed to undress and put on paper clothes. I informed them I was there against my will and would not comply. Four or five of them held me down and stripped me. After they took my vitals, they returned my clothes. What was the point in taking them in the first place?
I never had a physical exam, I was never told anything about informed consent. One if the intake clerks lied on a form. On the signature line he wrote I was unavailable for signature.
I was available for all other forms though.
During my involuntary confinement I was yelled at by a nurse for a HIPPA violation her coworker committed and nearly sedated because I wouldn’t sit down. After being there for 6 hours or so, I was able to procure a screw, approximately three inches in length. I held it up to the cameras, and then placed it in my pocket. I debated whether I should hurt myself with it. When I was released, I gave it to them. Of course they were shocked and wanted to know where I got it from. Told them to figure it out, but there were three more readily available for the other patients.
Someone from our office will contact you.
I beside myself help someone my sonhas been behaving badly in school I talked to these people about placing my son on special class he is adhd and post traumatic disorder from the result of his abusive father as a result of his behavior they send him home every time so he gets what he wants that way did I mention that he is eight years old he got Baker acted today and what do I do how can they do this he said I will kill myself if u don’t send me home he was just trying to get home out of school and they took him seriously
Hello my name is Michael. I moved to Florida in 2013 to get clean from suboxone and oxycontin addiction. When I first went to treatment I was clean for 5 days and and still feeling chappy from coming off the drugs. They felt that I should be put on lithium because they thought I was suffering from bi polar disorder. And I stayed on the medication for 1 year. During that first year they also suggested that I go to another treatment center after that he first one for mental health because I had tried to commit suicide during my addiction and I expressed that to them. During that suicide attempt I was hallucinating because of the drug wellbutrin that was causing my hallucinations and they assumed I was lieing telling them that , they believed I was schizzophrenic but the hallucinations went away after I stopped the wellbutrin. So I went to this second treatment center and they drugged me up on serroquil and Baker acted me for no reason . Just because what they said as being protocol and they held me at a hospital against my own will. And it was traumatizing. The reason I think was because I was acting too happy. So I eventually got out of that treatment center and moved to Halfway which I stayed sober the whole time. Finally in March 2014 I had gotten lithium poisoning and was immediately taken off the lithium and I had an adverse reactions and went back to the same treatment center because at the time it was my only resource to get help. so this time it was even worse . They wound up doing the same thing to me Baker acting me for 2 weeks in a hospital meanwhile I just needed help to detox from the meds or at this point was willing to take something because I started to believe I couldn’t live without the stuff. I then we you on depakote and completed this treatment center in April 2014 . When I got out I was doing fine up until a point when I started to get stigma from being on meds. I’ve never been known to be mentally ill in new York where I’m from but in florida I earned this reputation as the guy who takes meds. But the Halfway house pushed me to go back to the same treatment center for a third time where I eventually got the same treatment and was Baker acted for no reason and they then put me on zyprexa and miraculously after that I started to feel fine after the whole coming off lithium thing and feeling no withdrawals from suddenly stopping lithium. I got out of there in July 2014 and went to another halfway house in florida on my same journey to get clean with nothing in my pockets. I stayed at this halfway house up until March 2015 where I was working and saving money to move out on my own. But I forgot to add in december 2014 I decided to get off zyprexa because of thew side effects that it was making me gain weight and I did. I felt good and was stable in just depakote but this halfway house in March 2015 also decided to Baker act me because I got into a fight with my therapist there … I was mad at her for some reason because she was imposing on me and I acted out and claiming that I didn’t know her and that she doesn’t know me but they took it out of context and thought I was being serious…that was not what I meant I was just mad at them. At thr hodpital they prescribed me latuda. After that visit I went to a 4 th treatment center I stayed they till Sept 2015 and I got on zyprexa again the. Where I started to feel back to myself again . For some reason this drug seems to help me. But now 2016 I take 15 mgs of zyprexa and 1000 mgs of depakote and I need help because I don’t trust to mental health system because they’ve hurt me so much. Now I struggle everyday feeling bad and afraid to get off this because I don’t know what will happen. I’m in a very vulnerable position and I feel like I can’t get the help I need from the right people but all this happened while I was florida . I feel abused and traumatized . And had one rights …. so that’s my story and I’m sorry if it’s a little off but it’s 100% true
I have been admitted into a hospital under the Baker Act because I had a seizure and my sister found me layed out on the ground. I wasnt very responsive at first because I was a bit delirious after hitting my head. My sister thought that I had overdosed on something and that is what she told the rescue team. Once I was in the emergency room, I made it very clear to everyone that I hadnt overdosed on anything.
Despite my claims, and the bloodwork which proved my claims… I was still kept against my will. There was no proof that I wanted to harm myself. No marks on my body, no threat letters, no pumping anything out of my stomach. I was perfectly fine.
I feel as if my rights have been violated. Is it possible for me to sue the Hospital?
I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. Someone will contact you.
Honestly someone needs to do a news story on me my story will blow your mind
I also have a story that would blow anyone’s mind. It is a long story. Three members of my family had control issues and serious mental health issues. They Baker Acted me. This gave me a scar for life and will be on my record for life. That day, I died. My spirt, my light, all my hopes and amibitons, and my dreams for a future were gone in an instant. My career and all that I had worked for for 25 years were gone in just a few short hours. No one would hire me and I could not make a living. I wanted to work as long as I could to have some retirement and savings. I now live in low income housing with alcoholics and drug addicts buying and selling drugs. The people you depend on most to look after you were the very ones that destroyed my future. This is on my record for life. My daughter is severe bipolar, and with adhd. Now that I have a mental health record she says (there was nothing wrong with me), all law enforcement and anyone who wanted to hire me will make a judgement and call me crazy. My daughter-in-law says she will keep me on a tight lease and threatens me all of the time for the past 17 years to have me Baker Acted at any time. She is yelling and screaming all day long. She says I have a record from seeing some doctors. These doctors need some serious help themselves. They only added fire to the flame. Once they give you a diagnosis it is there for life and nothing will ever change that. Just about all of my in-laws were alcoholics with many problems. She is a control freak. She stalks me and calls all my neighbors, doctors, hairdressers, and tells everyone and everyone that will listen, that I have been Baker Acted. She has gone through my room and gone thru what few papers I have left. She has my SS card and bank statements and accounts. No one will believe SHE is the one that needs help. She ridicules everything I say and blames me for everything No one will believe me. I do not speak very much. She lets me have no communication with my son, she has to give me and him permission to speak. I have nothing to look forward to ever again. I have nothing to look forward to except heaven. I pray that God will take me soon and not let me suffer much longer. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of this and cry myself to sleep at night.
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I was handcuffed in the hospital and dragged down the hall with no Civil Rights. No one was there to help me. All my life I was a Christian, obeyed God and worked hard to make a living and pay taxes and Live a Christian life. My self respect, my name was defamed and I feel that I am damaged goods and none wants to be my friend because of this.
I will do anything to prevent this from happening to anyone else. If anyone knows how I can help, please let me know before another innocent victim is used and abused and treat as if they have no value.
It is like my heart and soul have been ripped right out of me.
They Law, the government, and the medical profession encourages this.and helps innocent people to become victims and they help the abuser who continues the abuse.
Thanks for listening for I have no one to talk to I am too ashamed and feel that I am damaged goods with a big mark on me that everyone is talking about.
DID NOTHING WRONG, I WAS TRIED ACCUSED AND CONVICTED WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN MY MOUTH OR DEFEND MYSELF. God is my physician now.
If anything like this has happened to anyone else out there, please let me know.
I need help my son was baker act he went to the hospital himself and the admitted him and now filed to go in front of a judge. He was coming off drugs and wanted to dry out. Not a harm to himself or anyone n please help me jlengel1803@gmail.com
Someone will contact you immediately.
The Baker Act is a revenue producer for the drug dealing psychs and it’s very easy for law enforcement since they aren’t dealing with any real criminals. The absolute truth is that many of the psychs have serious mental problems themselves and that was their initial reason for going into the psych field. There is absolutely no hard science behind psychiatry and 10 different psychs will come up with 10 different conclusions on the same exact patient. Additionally, many are control freaks and love to exercise power over their victims/patients through the administration of drugs. It’s an evil law and law enforcement, the judiciary and medical profession knows it and they are profit by it. Time to drug law enforcement, the judiciary and medical profession with their own medicine. These people are pure Communists and not worthy to breath the air on American soil.
Something very similar to this young boys situation happened with my 9 year old daughter on 3/29/16. At 3:22 pm I received a call from my mother on my boyfriends phone (mine was broken) telling me that my daughter had missed the bus and I needed to go pick her up. When I arrived in the car pool lane I was told that I needed to come inside to get my daughter, which I had found odd since school was released at 3:20. When I walked in there was a deputy sheriff and the principal. myself, boyfriend and 4 month old baby were led into a room and told that there was a situation where my daughter had gotten into a fight with another student and said out of anger that she was going to kill him, they then said “we know she didn’t mean it and she said she didn’t and she is not in trouble for that” but that afterwards she had said she just wants to die and that she was going to “jump out of a tree”, at which point I was extremely shocked. I was then at that point told by the principal that my 9 year old child was being baker acted. Of course in shock I said “no way! She’s just a kid! You can’t do that!” And the deputy said “well I did and she’s going”. My boyfriend then said “come on man, you guys don’t have to do this. She’s only 9”. The officer then told him “this is none of your business and doesn’t have anything to do with you” (I assume because he isn’t her biological father and we aren’t married?). I was completely devestated and asked repeatedly to see my daughter, and if I could just give her a hug to say goodbye to her. The officer then told me “no. I’m taking her now and if you leave this room BOTH OF YOU WILL BE ARRESTED” ( keep in mind We have our 4 month old baby with us). We were both terrified, heartbroken and traumatized. When the officer left I kept asking if I could use the phone and denied by the principal and told I wasn’t allowed to leave that room until 10 minutes after the officer left. I had to sit and watch my baby girl being put into the back of a police car. My 6 year old son was on the bus and by that time had already arrived at home, alone. I told this to them and said I had to leave or call someone. Finally after begging and pleading with them for 5 minutes they allowed me to use their phone in that room, which I used to call my mother. I then got off the phone and asked again to leave at which point they were reluctant, but said okay. Right before I left I was given a piece of paper with the name and place they were taking my daughter to.
When I arrived home, frantic, traumatized, and so devestated I called the place and explained what had happened, and they told me that I needed to get there asap because I had to fill out paper work and there would be none there to sit with my daughter, and there was NO reason why I wouldn’t be able to see her.
So I went to this facility. My 9 year old daughter was sitting in a intake hallway with a bunch of ADULTS and no police officer in sight to ensure her safety! She said with tears in her eyes that she just wanted to go home and she didn’t want to be there. But at that point it was too late.
She was discharged as soon as she was evaluated the very next day by the doctor. The doctor called me right after and told me “this is just some 3rd grade drama, she doesn’t need to be in here.”
The officer did this to her and my family. She had to stay the night in that place because of this awful law. And I haven’t slept since this happened. I’ve contacted IA with the sheriffs dept and I’m also filing a formal complaint with this officer, and I’ve also spoken with the superintendent of the school to try to resolve all of this. My daughter doesn’t want to go back to school and I don’t want her to either.
I want to know how I can make a change in this law. Everyone keeps telling me to sue… But that won’t help or protect the next family this happens to. If you have any information you can give me, please do!
Hi Casey, I am very sorry to hear about what happened to your daughter. Please call us at 1-800-782-2878 and we will be happy to help you. You can also visit http://www.bakeractrights.org for more information on how you can protect your daughter.
i was bakered while seeking help for a bad reaction to chantix. The intake nurses at the hospital were upset ,i didn’t meet any criteria for incarceration! i am now afraid to seek help for my depression and anxiety disorder because i never want to go back to jail for something i can’t control. BTW i only needed benadryl and sleep. its a clear violation of the baker act,but nobody seems to care. the state has already rejected my claim saying the Dr acted within his bounds it is apparently common practice in this state
Hi Summer, someone from our office will contact you.
My friend was baker acted out of his own home against his will! I know he was in bad shape…he did needed medical care? But….the way they did it I feel was not done right! He is a Vietnam vet on 100 percent service connected?? And he wanted to to go to the Bay Pines Va, in St Pete? But I don’t know where he’s at? And the Sheriff’s Office will not tell me where they took him to? It’s about the money…..Believe that!!……..Where are his rights? I’m the only friend he’s got… can someone tell me how I can find out where he’s at?Please? Email me @nannaz44@Yahoo.com
He will be in the nearest behavior center as they will not take them out of the area.
It’s probably a little late for this now, but I figured it might help the next person. While it’s always upsetting to see someone taken away, legally in cases of psychiatric care, voluntary or not, the staff cannot even let you know if the person is in the facility or not. I’ve seen spouses, parents, children, siblings, and all types of friends and families feel left in the dark, but legally even as next of kin, if they’re in a psychiatric hospital, center, or ward, nothing can be disclosed to protect the privacy of the patient, since mental health issues have a huge stigma against it and knowledge of someone’s past issues can cost them jobs, housing, family, etc. I hope your friend eventually came out of care and was able to function again and you were reassured of their well being.