Following the deaths of two women being transported in a Horry County Sheriff’s Office van, South Carolina lawmakers formed a special committee to investigate what happened. That panel plans to file a bill regarding the transport of mental health patients.
“These were not prisoners. they were just citizens.” Said Sen. Katrina Shealy of Lexington. “They were mental health patients being transported from one facility to another and why were they being transported in a state of emergency in the first place.”
In November the three-person committee heard testimony from the families of Wendy Newton and Nicolette Green as well as SLED. Details revealed the women were being taken to a mental health hospital when the van they were in became trapped in flood waters.
“When Mr. Brittain said it was a cage. you can’t even imagine.” Said Green’s sister Donnella Green Johnson. “It was a horrible way for those two women to die and they knew.”
Current state law authorizes law enforcement to transport mental health patients in the case of emergency admittance. However after hours of testimony and discussion lawmakers are now trying to change that.
“Making sure family members are aware of their options and letting families know they have the option unless there is a health threat to make that transfer yourself.” Said Sen. Shealy. “The next is I think is very important. We don’t need to be transporting anyone during a state of emergency.”
The bill will also address officer training and the rights of patients. Lawmakers plan to file the bill when the new legislative session begins next Tuesday.
