Court Opinion

ID: 4442862
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-09-30 18:22:14.434584+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:37:03.289226
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In the Matter of the Detention of A.O.
                                                  No. 80099-0-I

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                                  UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                                  FILED: September 30, 2019

         LEACH, J.   —   A.O. appeals a trial court’s 90-day involuntary Commitment

order.    She challenges the trial court’s determination that clear, cogent, and

convincing evidence establishes that A.O. is gravely disabled. Because sufficient

evidence supports the trial court finding of grave disability, we affirm.

                                    BACKGROUND

         A Pierce County Superior Court judge dismissed a felony charge against

A.O. after finding her incompetent to stand trial. The court committed A.O. to the

state hospital for a civil commitment evaluation under RCW 71.05. After this

initial evaluation, Dr. Janene Dorio, PsyD, and Dr. Glenn Morrison, DO, of

Western State Hospital, petitioned the court for a 180-day involuntary treatment.

They filed a supporting declaration stating that A.O. could not care for herself and

that there was insufficient care in the community to meet her needs.
No. 80099-0-I /2

       On December 19, 2017, a commissioner held an evidentiary hearing on

the petition. Dr. Dorio testified that A.O. received one-to-one monitoring while at

the hospital, with the monitor ordered to be within arm’s reach at all times.

Additionally, Dr. Dorio testified that A.O. needed a level of care beyond what a

family member or layperson could provide.

       The commissioner signed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an

order committing A.O. for up to 90 days of involuntary treatment at the

evidentiary hearing. The findings state that A.O. is gravely disabled and “as a

result of a mental disorder manifest[edj severe deterioration in routine functioning

evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control over

actions, [was] not receiving such care as is essential for health and safety.”

       A.O. asked the trial court to revise the commissioner’s order. She claimed

that the State failed to produce any evidence that she manifested a severe

deterioration in her routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss

or that she was in danger of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to

provide for her essential human needs of health or safety.

      The trial court denied A.O.’s revision request. It explained that A.O. met

the two-part test for grave disability. A.O. satisfied the test’s first part because

she experienced “severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by

repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control over.            .   .   her

actions.” The court continued that under the test’s second part, A.O. would not

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No. 80099-0-I I 3

receive “such care as is essential for.        .   .   her health or safety” at home until

needed services were in place.

       A.O. appeals.

                                     ANALYSIS

       A.O. challenges the sufficiency of the State’s evidence to prove that she is

gravely disabled under former RCW 71.05.020(17) (2016).1                  Specifically, she

challenges a finding stating that she was “gravely disabled” under part (b) of

former 71.05.020(17).

       This court reviews a trial court’s decision to order involuntary commitment

for psychological treatment to see if substantial evidence supports the court’s

findings and whether its findings support its legal conclusions.2 The State is

required to prove the requirements for involuntary commitment by clear, cogent,

and convincing evidence.3 We do “not disturb the trial court’s findings of ‘grave

disability’ if supported by substantial evidence which the lower court could

reasonably have found to be clear, cogent and convincing.”4

       A court may involuntarily commit a person to 90 days of mental health

treatment if it finds that the individual is gravely disabled under RCW 71 ~Q5~5

RCW 71.05.020(22) defines “gravely disabled” as

       1  The State claims that A.O. did not challenge the trial court’s findings of
fact so they are true on appeal. But A.O.’s brief directly challenges the finding of
fact stating that A.O. was “gravely disabled.” And her brief clearly supports that
challenge with argument, citations to the record, and legal authority.
       2 In re Det. of LaBelle, 107 Wash. 2d 196, 209, 728 P.2d 138 (1986).
       ~ LaBelle, 107 Wash. 2d at 209.
       ~ LaBelle, 107 Wash. 2d at 209.
       5RCW71.05.150, .240, .280.

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No. 80099-0-I /4

      a condition in which a person, as a result of a mental disorder, or as
      a result of the use of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals: (a)
      Is in danger of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to
      provide for his or her essential human needs of health or safety; or
      (b) manifests severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced
      by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control
      over his or her actions and is not receiving such care as is essential
      for his or her health or safety.

      The commissioner heard testimony from two mental health professionals

who examined A.O. and considered their joint declaration supporting their

petition. Dr. Dorio and Dr. Morrison’s declaration stated that due to continuing

symptoms of her diagnosed mental disease or defect, A.O. would be unable to

meet her basic health and safety needs. Dr. Dorio and Dr. Morrison noted that

AC’s insight into her cognitive deficits appeared grossly impaired and she did

not appear able to recognize the impact that her impaired cognition had on her

behavior or daily functioning.   They stated that A.O. presented with acute

symptoms of mental disease or defect, including hygiene problems, inappropriate

affect, thought disorganization, confusion, memory impairment, impairments in

communication, distraction, and significantly impaired insight and judgment.

Further, the declaration noted that if she were to be discharged to the

community, that there would be insufficient structure, monitoring, and care to

manage her current acute deficits and there is a substantial likelihood of her

engaging in irresponsible or neglectful behavior or maltreatment of others in the

community.

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No. 80099-0-I I 5

       Also, Dr. Dorio testified that A.O. required a level of care beyond what a

layperson or family member could provide. Dr. Dorio testified that A.O. could not

take care of her own basic needs of health and safety and a higher level of

professional medical care was required for A.O due to her limited ability to

function.

       This   evidence    demonstrates       that   A.O.   both   manifested   severe

deterioration in routine functioning and that she was not receiving the care

essential for her health and safety.       Clear, cogent, and convincing evidence

supports the trial court’s finding that A.O. was gravely disabled under RCW

71.05. And its findings support the trial court’s decision to order up to 90-days’

involuntary treatment for A.O.

                                  Award of Costs

       A.O. asks that this court not award costs to the State because the trial

court determined that she is indigent. The State concedes this issue. So this

court will not award costs to the State.

                                   CONCLUSION

       We affirm the trial court’s 90-day involuntary commitment order.

WE CONCUR:

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