'Fix the flaws': Gov. Kelly calls for investigation of state mental hospital after escapes

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is calling for an expedited independent security review of Larned State Hospital, a psychiatric facility that treats criminal offenders, after two of its patients escaped within the past six months.

The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, which oversees the hospital, announced Tuesday an ongoing effort to find an external investigative firm. That review aims to comprehensively assess the problems with the hospital and “produce recommendations to improve security and keep Kansans safe,” Kelly said.

“This administration is taking action to identify and fix the flaws that allowed two dangerous residents to escape from a state-operated facility, to ensure that it does not happen again,” Kelly said in a statement.

The latest escapee was Isaac Watts, a 43-year-old southwestern Kansas man facing charges of attempted murder, domestic violence and kidnapping. Video surveillance showed Watts walking out of the facility around 9 p.m. Monday, authorities say. He was wearing a state-issued jean jacket at the time.

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article257053022.htm