Anyone ever filed a missing persons report? - UPDATE Post 12

[LadyyRedd]

Who can file one and what info will they ask for?

Briefly....I have a friend who took herself to the ER friday for psychiatric reasons. I tracked her down there (she didn't tell anyone) and got in to see her. She was fine with me seeing her, but wanted no other visitors and was adamant her family not know she was there. Went back Sat and she had been discharged at like 1am. Hospital said she wasn't listed anymore.

Her car is still in the parking lot at the hospital. Her phone is still turned off. She has not been to her house. I have been there (I have a key). I wanted to check on her cats and make sure she wasn't there.

There is still no sign of her and I firmly, truly believe that she is in the behavioral health unit of the hospital. If so, they can't tell me that and they won't take messages, regardless of whether the person is there or not.

Would the police even be able to get any info or tell me anything?

Kimya

 

[mrsltg]

Call the police. They will take it from there.

 

[kctwinmommy]

Being a former cop myself, you may find yourself frustrated even more. It just depends on where you're at and what kind of department you're dealing with. But, it's not against the law for an adult to "go missing" if you know what I mean.

OK, I just reread what you wrote, and you think she's still in the hospital, in the psych unit. Since you're not family then there is no way they're going to tell you anything. They have no right to. It doesn't matter how much you want to know, they can not violate her rights. She has the right to receive any medical treatment in private. And calling the police then won't help.

Do you know any of her family that you can call and ask? Cuz family might be able to find out if she's there, but they still can't know what she's being treated for or anything. It's all the HIPPA stuff....

I hope you find out something soon though!

 

[Hannathy]

And keep checking on the Cats!!!!

 

[LadyyRedd]

I definitely know about HIPAA, I worked for an insurance company for 3 years, so I do know that they can't tell me anything. I thought for sure they could at least tell me she was there, like they do for regular hospital patients or ER patients. I mean, she was admitted to the ER for psychiatric eval. and they still let me know she was there and sent me back to see her without even verifying with her that it was ok. When I walked in, she looked at me and said "I didn't want any visitors". I told her I'd leave, but she had to tell me to my face that she wanted me to and then she said no, stay.

If she doesn't want to talk to me, etc., that's fine. I just want to know she's alive and safe.

I know she doesn't want anything to happen to her cats either and nobody would be taking care of them if I didn't think to go over there.

Kimya

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Aw, your poor friend. I hope she is safe and getting the help she needs. Bless you for checking in on her cats.

 

[luvmyeor]

PM sent

 

[mamacatnv]

I have a Mother who is mentally ill and the system can be so very frustrating trying to get information.

One thing I have learned is persistence pays off. I know all about HIPPA etc, but it only takes one person to help you out. If you present yourself as the person taking care of the cats etc. You don't want to know any details you just want to know "Should I file a police report???" a simple yes or no and you will be able to know where to proceed.

Keep asking, call at different hours etc. Eventually you may get someone who will give you the yes or no answer you need.

Contacting the family is a tough one. My Mother was adament that no one was to contact myself or my Brother. She knew we would step in and she didn't want us to change her lifestyle (which was out of control). Thankfully, people realized how "out there" she was and ignored her wishes and contacted myself and my brother. Do you know her family?

Good luck and I pray your friend is okay, we know her cats are in good hands

 

[sugarpie]

My brother has been in a few psychiatric units. When I'm wondering if he's checked himself out I call the main hospital number & ask if he's a patient. I've never had a problem.

I wonder if your friend has expressly asked to not be listed as a patient of the hospital.

I'm a nurse & I know how much trouble I could get in by giving out confidential information, but I try to help when I can. I hope someone can give you some answers. Keep trying.

 

[KimAshton]

((HUGS)) I have nothing to add but I just wanted to let you know you are such a good friend to care about her. Your friend is in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[JadenLayne]

Well my first thoughts was just tell them you are family. I know I'll get flamed for saying that but you are just looking out for her best interests and if she feels close enough to you to tell you about what she was doing then she thinks of you as family anyway.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I just wanted to update everyone who offered up kind words.

Yes, we are very close. I've known her since 6th grade. She and her mom do not have a good relationship and I think it would've made it worse for her mom to know what was going on. Yes, I do know her mom and could've contacted her.

But great news - she called me this afternoon!! The place where the hospital had sent her wouldn't allow her to make a phone call that wasn't local without a phone card. And since it was the next county over, it wasn't local. She finally talked one of the doctors into letting her use her phone to call. She's being released tomorrow and I'm going to get her after work. She's doing well. She's dealt with a lot of personal issues over the last 6 months that she's had a hard time dealing with. The doctors think she's got PMDD since the bad episodes happen around that time of the month.

She said the one thing that she was most worried about since she couldn't get in touch with me was her cats. I told she should know I'd go take care of them and she said she did, but she still worried.

Thank you all for your words and prayers.

Kimya

 

[Toby'sFriend]

just a suggestion

but you might look into getting her to sign some kind of legal form that would allow hospitals and doctors to release this kind of information to you.


Just in case.

I'm glad she is doing better.

 

[mom2boys]

I am glad she is safe. She is fortunate to have such a caring, responsible friend.

 

[canwegosoon]

1)Glad to hear she is seeking help, and it hopefully will help her.
2) Glad you are such a great non-judgemental friend to her looking out for her. You can always ask if she would like you to be her health care proxy or provide her with a card (with your name and phone number) for someone to call from the hospital to tell that you need to check on her animals(she should give you a key for emergencies). That's what I do for my neighbors, and they usually call me before the family, since that's what my neighbor wants.

 

[LadyyRedd]

These are great ideas that I'll be talking with her about. I do know about the health care proxy - I was my mom's when she had to have thoracic surgery and she and my step-dad were going through a rough patch.

I do already have a key. I'd already gone into her house on saturday - mostly to look to see if she was hiding out there (she has no home phone, only a cell), but also to check to make sure her cats had food/water/clean litter.

Kimya

 

[2BigKIdz]

glad to hear she is okay