Govt, CHHC in talks with woman taken to CHC’s psychiatric ward

The CNMI government and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. are currently in negotiations in an attempt to settle a woman’s $1.2-million lawsuit over her alleged forced removal from her house on Rota by a police officer and other persons and her detention in the psychiatric ward of the Commonwealth Health Center on Saipan.

Plaintiff Kaye Christian and the defendants, through their counsels, informed the U.S. District Court for the NMI on Thursday about the ongoing settlement talks.

Christian’s counsels are Jeanne Rayphand and Matthew Holley, both of the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc.

Assistant attorneys general James M. Zarones, Charles Brasington, and Ghassan Harb are counsels for the CNMI government, Rota police officer Eusebio Manglona, CHCC, CHCC chief executive officer Esther L. Muña, and Dr. Francois Claassens.

The parties, through their lawyers, informed the court that they are attempting to settle the lawsuit without the need for further litigation.

The defendants asked the court to extend the time to respond to the lawsuit to June 17, 2014. Christian agreed to the request.

In her lawsuit, Christian is demanding damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. She asked for a court order directing the CNMI government and co-defendants to implement procedures to prevent the use of excessive force by police officers and health care personnel.

She asked the court to issue an order directing the CNMI government, CHC, Muña, and Department of Public Safety Commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero to educate and train police officers and healthcare personnel about the Involuntary Commitment Act, the Patient’s Rights Act, and conflict management and restraint procedures.

According to Christian’s complaint, Manglona and 10 unnamed persons entered her home without her consent on Dec. 31, 2013, at 1pm.

Without provocation, Manglona allegedly grabbed Christian’s arm, twisted her arm behind her, carried her down the stairs, and handcuffed her. Christian was then allegedly handcuffed to a stretcher and brought to the Rota Health Clinic. At the clinic, she was injected with medicines.

On Jan. 1, 2014, Christian was brought to Saipan where she was allegedly involuntarily committed to the psychiatric ward at CHC. She was released from the ward two days later.

The complaint did not mention why Christian had to be transported to the psychiatric ward.