Detroit Judge Approves $13 Million Settlement for Psychiatric Hospital Incident

DETROIT (AP) – A judge in Detroit has given the green light for a $13 million settlement following a shocking incident that took place during an unannounced active shooter drill at a psychiatric hospital for children in Michigan. The drill, which occurred on December 21, 2022, sparked panic among children and staff members who believed they were in real danger.

According to attorney Robin Wagner, someone at the hospital’s front desk announced through the speaker system that there were two armed men inside the Hawthorn Center and that shots had been fired. This false alarm sent the facility into chaos as staff took immediate action to protect the children. “It was horrifying,” Wagner shared. “Everyone went into, ‘Oh my God. This is the worst day of my life.’ People were hiding under their desks and barricading the doors.”

Approximately 50 children at the hospital will each receive around $60,000 from the settlement. Additionally, 90 staff members will be compensated with an average of more than $50,000, depending on their trauma exam scores. Others affected, about two dozen individuals, will receive smaller amounts. Wagner noted, “The state recognized that this was really a bad decision and harmed a lot of people.”

The drill was so convincing that police officers, unaware it was just a practice exercise, rushed to the scene with body armor and high-powered weapons, ready to address what they thought was a serious threat. Wagner reported that two individuals posing as the shooters were apprehended, but thankfully they were not armed.

Court of Claims Judge James Redford approved the settlement on October 4, and more than $3 million from the total will go to pay attorneys involved in the case. A spokesperson for the state Department of Health and Human Services, Lynn Sutfin, stated that it was for the “best interest of all involved parties to settle this matter.” Sutfin further expressed, “We regret that our patients, staff and community were negatively affected by the unfortunate incident in December 2022.”

Wagner revealed that the drill was organized by the safety director of the Hawthorn Center, who is still employed by the state. Following the incident, the hospital was closed for reasons unrelated to the chaotic drill.

This event has raised questions about safety procedures and the impact of training methods on vulnerable populations. The settlement aims to provide some measure of justice for those who endured the fear and stress of that day.