A 56-year-old man lacking for weeks after strolling away from a community-based dwelling for psychological well being sufferers in Prince George’s County was discovered sleeping on the streets of D.C. this previous weekend by a household good friend. His household stated it was two weeks earlier than they had been instructed he had left the house.
Rising up, Marcellus Treadwell took care of his youthful sister, Oreadea Treadwell.
“We had been very shut,” she stated.
As he received older, it was found he had psychological sickness, and his sister wanted assist caring for him. Since 2004, Marcellus Treadwell has lived at a gaggle dwelling in Largo, Maryland, operated by Psychotherapeutic Companies.
In late June, his household could not get him on the cellphone.
“After some time of continually calling, then a member of the family went over to verify on him, and that’s after we had been instructed he was lacking and had been lacking for not less than two weeks,” Oreadea Treadwell stated.
He’d final been seen June 18. His household was not contacted, however a supervisor on the dwelling instructed them a police report was filed.
“I needed to course of it first, as a result of the phrase ‘lacking’ by itself is only a tough phrase, after which connected to my brother’s title is one thing I by no means dreamed may ever occur or would ever occur,” Oreadea Treadwell stated.
“Therapy suppliers assuming that they cannot talk with households is a really large drawback,” stated Ron Honberg, retired director of authorized affairs for the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness.
Honberg, an knowledgeable in psychological well being legislation, says typically houses misread HIPAA, the federal legislation defending medical info. Usually, the belief is contacting household in these conditions violates affected person rights, however Honberg says that is not HIPPA’s intention.
“These are the instances when persons are most susceptible and people are the instances folks want compassionate help probably the most,” he stated. “And but legal guidelines are interpreted in a approach that serves as bars to offering that sort of compassion and help. It is an actual a tragedy.”
Marcellus Treadwell’s household made posters, added his title to an extended listing of Maryland’s lacking and unidentified. He was discovered Saturday three weeks and two days after leaving the house.
His household stated he’s not doing very nicely since returning dwelling and they’re presently in search of someplace else to position him.
Psychotherapeutic Companies is a certified supplier for Maryland Medical Help as a part of the Maryland Public Psychological Well being System, in accordance with the corporate’s web site. In addition they present providers for the uninsured. News4 requested an interview with the CEO however has not obtained a response.
