Alex’s Story

Good morning everyone! I wanted to first off thank all of you for all the love you have shared, it has been a blessing and helped tremendously.

However, there story does not end there. I want to share what has transpired over the the last week in hopes that NO OTHER family has this same experience.

As you know on Sunday evening I admitted my child to Carrollton Regional Medical center. They did a very good job with my child and helping us through that crisis. At around 4am Monday morning a behavioral health specialist came to the room and spoke about what happened and what our options were. Now, this is where the story starts to take a turn for the worst.

We were not given many options. I’m not 100% familiar with locations for children and I know the options are slim. It was presented to me that they would recommend a location called Millwood in Arlington. It has a 1.9 ⭐️ rating. My choices were to transport my child here voluntarily or they would be forced to have the doctor get a court order and call CPS. So, I trusted them. (Also want to mention that this person told me they get compensated if they use certain hospitals 🤷🏻‍♂️)

Monday morning we transferred my child to Millwood and arrived around 9am. No one ever sat down with us and spoke to us. No one ever went over any information. I was given some papers to sign and we waited in a room until 3pm that day until a nurse came in. He rushed through some things and had me sign more papers. I asked a few questions and was told everything would be fine and he said they had Groups, doctors, nurses, therapists, and a great plan.

I was supposed to receive a phone call between 6-8pm from my child but never did. The following day I made several attempts to call the location and finally spoke to the therapist. She went through a laundry list of questions asking about my child and what was going on. As I tried to give detailed information I was cut off multiple times and asked to give less information. It sounded as if she was just checking off boxes and rushing me instead of wanting to listen to me.

Also that tuesday morning I got a phone call from a very rude administrator to tell me that my portion of the bill was $2,100 and asked me how I wanted to pay. I told her I wasn’t in a place to discuss this and I hadn’t even spoken to anyone about a place, how long they would be there, nothing. I was shocked!

I immediately called the patient advocate for the facility to file a complaint. I had been given no updates or any information about how my Child was doing and the plan of action. About 5:30pm on Tuesday I finally talk to my child for about 5 minutes and that was only because they gave them permission to call me and ask for more clothes.

The doctor called me around 7:30pm to ask consent for some medication and we did get to talk about the medication.

On Wednesday they had visitation at 3pm and myself and my other 2 children went. They only allowed me to talk to my child and would not let my other kids come in or allow us to rotate in/out. Which I understand there are rules. They had told me that had only watched movies and colored and there was meetings or therapy. And that there were a lot of fights.

Later that evening I got a call from the social services advocate and we talked about everything. Again it was rushed but I was told I would get a phone call and a family session setup the following day.

I never heard back from anyone until I received a frantic phone call at 7:45 pm last night from from child asking me to pick them up. Their room mate had been physically assaulted a total of 4 times while in the room by much older kids. 2 of times the techs broke it up, and 2 of the times no one ever came. My child said they were scared and felt unsafe then forced off the phone.

I called the hospital and was told to call back at 8:15pm. So, I called the house supervisor and explained the situation and I was told they didn’t happen and I should not worry. I called back and talked to the head nurse on duty and explained everything and was told the same thing. I let them know I wanted to discharge my child or have them transported to a different hospital.

I was told no, and I could place a request to be reviewed in 24 hours but that was the best they could do. So, I did what any rational parent would do and drove up there. The patients right say that if you voluntarily admit yourself into a hospital you can request to be discharged at anytime. They have to discharge you within 4 hours unless the doctors deems you a threat to yourself. In the case of a minor the doctor has to discuss the concerns with the legal guardian noting time, date, and outcome. Then they can hold you for 24 hours and even get a court order to keep the patient.

When I arrived at the hospital at 9pm I explained the posted patients rights to the staff and the status of my request that they transfer my child or discharge my child. I was told that is not how it works and they don’t do that. Which is exactly the opposite of what is posted. They told me the doctor said no and was putting a 24 hour hold.

Come to find out Never did they write down the time and date of my request. No doctor ever called me. No options were given, they just kept telling me they fights were common and no one gets hurt. I explained that my child specifically felt in danger for their safety and wanted to leave. I asked the staff why the doctor did not want to transfer or discharge my child, No explanation was given.

When I asked what they were going to do to keep my child safe, they asked ME what I wanted them to do to keep them safe…

So, My oldest daughter and I just sat in the waiting room for several hours. No one ever came back to talk to us. Finally around midnight they released my child and handed me his belongings. No list of medications, no documents on his condition or what the next steps were. The entire time I felt as though I was being gaslit.

Today we are seeking alternative treatments and locations that I hope will better service my child’s needs!