State agency launches investigation into patient avoidance at Talbot House

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration is investigating the placement of patients from other counties in homeless shelters in Lakeland, a state official told LkldNow Tuesday afternoon.

News reports give rise to investigations: The incident came to light in February and was reported by several news outlets. A source close to the investigation said someone at the agency read the LkldNow article and filed a complaint, which sparked the investigation.

In March, Lakeland Police released four videos to LkldNow showing the confusion and frustration of these patients after being “dumped” at Talbot House Ministries, a homeless shelter that may not have a bed for them and cannot meet most of their medical or mental health needs.

Patients from abroad: Some of the people brought to Lakeland told officials, Talbot House officials and LkldNow that they were at least an hour away from Dade City, Brookesville, Wesley Chapel and Tampa. Many are physically or mentally ill and feel traumatized by being discharged from or tricked into leaving a hospital, rehabilitation center or mental health facility with no safety net or plan.

“Now we’re investigating the hospitals to see if they’re the ones doing this, because it’s considered dumping,” the AHCA source told LkldNow. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue. “Someone at the AHCA took this very, very seriously, so it had to be investigated.”

The AHCA source said what is happening is against the law.

“We don’t want this to happen,” the source said. “They should take care of the patients instead of throwing them out of the hospital and psychiatric facilities.”

The source said the investigation into the matter would take one to five business days and that the report could take up to 45 more days to complete, “depending on how much information we collect.”

LPD chief praises investigation: Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said Tuesday he was glad to hear state authorities were taking up the matter.

“I think it’s appropriate for them to look into this,” Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said Tuesday afternoon. “The people who are being deported against their will here in Lakeland deserve more than what they got. So I think it’s appropriate… I’m very interested to hear what they have to say about this.”

Talbot House executive director Maria Cruz said she spoke with the investigator on Tuesday.

“I will review our records and cooperate with the investigation,” Cruz said.

A sharp increase: Cruz said there were a total of 25 levies in 2023. This year there have already been 63, an average of nine per month.

Talbot House has been serving the homeless since 1979 and funds its work through donations and some federal and state programs.

On average, they host 160 overnight guests each day. About 70 of them participate in the organization’s residency program and stay for between six and 24 months. These short-term residents work with case managers to get their lives back on track and are welcome during the day. The other 90 people live in shared housing on a first-come, first-served basis and must vacate the home each morning.

However, qualified care is not available for residents with medical needs.

Persistent problem: Cruz said Tuesday that the situation has not improved despite public attention and outrage over the issue.

“This is going on nonstop,” Cruz said. “As I was leaving today, a young woman was being dropped off from a mental health clinic. I heard her say to the case manager, ‘I don’t even know where I am.'”

Cruz said the woman needed to go to rehab today. Talbot House officials called local providers, but they didn’t have any beds available. They arranged for her to stay at a facility in Sebring on Wednesday and will provide her with housing tonight and transportation on Wednesday.

Cruz said navigating the treatment programs is a complicated maze and most patients cannot do it on their own.

“The level of intensive case management required to coordinate their treatment and follow-up is unprecedented,” Cruz said.

Many of those who have been dropped off are able to use Talbot House’s emergency accommodation.

“We desperately need rehabilitation centers for the homeless or more emergency shelters with medical personnel,” Cruz said. “The number of homeless is growing rapidly and no one can ignore that they also have special needs. The majority of our people are destitute and uninsured.”

Next Steps: ACHA officials said the results of the investigation would be shared with LkldNow once it is completed.

A list compiled by Cruz shows that Springbrook Behavioral Hospital allegedly surrendered seven patients this year, including several of those listed below. Springbrook Behavioral Hospital did not respond to requests for comment.

Local hospitals also bring discharged patients to Talbot House. Cruz said patients are asked where they are going and they often respond “Talbot House.”