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Outrage in New Zealand after 11-year-old girl sent to psych ward and drugged in identity mix-up Outrage in New Zealand after 11-year-old girl sent to psychiatric ward and drugged in identity mix-up
(32 minutes later)
Report finds police mistook girl for missing woman in blunder that has appalled political leadersReport finds police mistook girl for missing woman in blunder that has appalled political leaders
An 11-year-old girl was restrained, injected with anti-psychotic drugs and placed on a mental health ward after New Zealand police mistook her for a missing woman, a report found on Wednesday.An 11-year-old girl was restrained, injected with anti-psychotic drugs and placed on a mental health ward after New Zealand police mistook her for a missing woman, a report found on Wednesday.
Health officials and police have scrambled to explain the mix-up, which has appalled political leaders and stoked outrage across the country.Health officials and police have scrambled to explain the mix-up, which has appalled political leaders and stoked outrage across the country.
The girl – who displayed “limited verbal ability” – was crossing a bridge in northern Hamilton city when a passing police car mistakenly identified her as a missing 20-year-old female hospital patient, the review said.The girl – who displayed “limited verbal ability” – was crossing a bridge in northern Hamilton city when a passing police car mistakenly identified her as a missing 20-year-old female hospital patient, the review said.
Police drove the girl to hospital, where she was admitted to an “intensive psychiatric care unit” despite one nurse suggesting she “resembled a child”.Police drove the girl to hospital, where she was admitted to an “intensive psychiatric care unit” despite one nurse suggesting she “resembled a child”.
“Patient A lives with a disability that means she was not able to tell people about herself,” said a review by the Ministry of Health, referring to the girl.“Patient A lives with a disability that means she was not able to tell people about herself,” said a review by the Ministry of Health, referring to the girl.
After refusing to take drugs offered by staff, the girl was restrained and injected with anti-psychotic medication that is “rarely administered to children”.After refusing to take drugs offered by staff, the girl was restrained and injected with anti-psychotic medication that is “rarely administered to children”.
“Staff were working on the assumption that they were administering medication to an adult, not a child,” read the damning review of the 9 March incident.“Staff were working on the assumption that they were administering medication to an adult, not a child,” read the damning review of the 9 March incident.
The girl spent more than 12 hours in hospital until police realised their mistake and called her family to pick her up.The girl spent more than 12 hours in hospital until police realised their mistake and called her family to pick her up.
“I just wish to start by apologising to this young person and her family for the trauma and distress that was caused,” said Richard Sullivan, a senior health official.“I just wish to start by apologising to this young person and her family for the trauma and distress that was caused,” said Richard Sullivan, a senior health official.
“This report is a frank read. But it is necessary to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”“This report is a frank read. But it is necessary to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
The New Zealand prime minister, Christopher Luxon, launched an investigation last week when the incident came to light.The New Zealand prime minister, Christopher Luxon, launched an investigation last week when the incident came to light.
“That is incredibly distressing and incredibly concerning,” he said.“That is incredibly distressing and incredibly concerning,” he said.
“As a parent you identify with what is a horrific set of circumstances. I have massive amounts of empathy for her and her family.”“As a parent you identify with what is a horrific set of circumstances. I have massive amounts of empathy for her and her family.”