Introduction to the Case
A South Florida woman is taking legal action claiming she was held in mental institutions for nearly two weeks – for no legitimate reason. The case centers around Florida’s Baker Act, a state law by which people can be taken involuntarily for a mental health evaluation, if, among other reasons, they are a risk to themselves or others.
Background of the Incident
In her lawsuit, Demoree Hadley claims that was not the case. She shared body camera video that she says proves her case and raises concerns about how the law, designed to protect people, can be implemented. The incident happened on March 27, 2024. Video from body-worn cameras shows Broward Sheriff’s deputies met on the side of the road in Dania Beach by a man wearing a gray shirt.
Initial Contact with Deputies
“I’m waiting for car to go by,” he tells deputies, “There’s a girl driving it. She’s kind of a mentally unstable person.” BSO has not responded to inquiries about who called the deputies there, but it appears they are taking direction from a man wearing a gray shirt. “She’s heading over here right now,” says the man, “…They have a GPS on her.” The man, whose name is James Fondo, asks deputies to follow him to a nearby parking lot once she arrives.
Involvement of Dr. Daniel Bober
“I have a doctor, Dr. Bober from Hollywood Memorial Hospital who’s waiting for her to show up,” Fondo tells the deputies. “He’s going to Baker Act her.” The woman, Demoree, says she was lured to that parking lot by someone posing as a potential client for the landscaping company she runs with her then-boyfriend, now husband. But according to her lawsuit, when she showed up, she was approached by people she says she’d never met, including Dr. Daniel Bober – the chief of psychiatry at Memorial Regional Hospital, who also runs a private practice.
The Baker Act and Its Implementation
The Baker Act allows a physician to order someone they’ve examined in the previous 48 hours be held against their will in a mental health facility if they pose a risk to themselves or others. And the doctor can ask law enforcement to take them there. In the video, Demoree tells deputies several times that Bober is not her doctor, and she has never met him. “He’s a doctor, he’s part of the mobile crisis unit,” one deputy responded when she voiced such concerns. Demoree says Dr. Bober never examined her. On the Baker Act paperwork, Dr. Bober certified he did that exam at 5:56 p.m. that day, the same time video shows them all still in that parking lot.
Discrepancies in the Baker Act Process
He diagnosed her with an “unspecified psychosis,” adding she was a risk to herself. “I have three different collateral sources of information that she has been acting psychotic and she threatened to overdose,” Bober can be heard saying in the video. The doctor also tells Demoree, “I spoke to your mom. I spoke to your aunt.” Demoree asserts in her lawsuit that she has no mental health history and does not use illegal drugs. She also shared records from Memorial Regional Hospital showing that drug test results from that day were negative.
Legal Action and Response
Demoree’s attorney, Hilton Napoleon II, stated, “I’ve been practicing law for 20 years and I’ve never seen a case like this before.” The lawsuit claims deputies “never verified the identity of the individuals on scene” and took their word despite Demoree repeatedly voicing concerns. A spokesperson for BSO tells NBC6 Investigates the incident is now under review. Sig 9 provided a statement denying any involvement in, or knowledge of, a ‘conspiracy’ as alleged in pending litigation.
Conclusion
Demoree was held for nearly two weeks at two mental health facilities, initially under the Baker Act, and then per a court order for a similar law used to hold drug abusers. Demoree shared medical records, including discharged paperwork, that list her diagnosis as “persistent depressive disorder,” which she disputes. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alone and unseen and unheard in my whole entire life,” she said. Memorial Healthcare tells us they’re not able to speak about the case due to the pending lawsuit.
FAQs
- What is the Baker Act?
The Baker Act is a Florida law that allows for the involuntary examination of a person who is believed to be a risk to themselves or others due to a mental illness. - Why was Demoree Hadley taken into custody?
Demoree was taken into custody under the Baker Act after Dr. Daniel Bober claimed she was a risk to herself, citing an unspecified psychosis and claims she threatened to overdose. - Did Demoree receive a proper examination before being Baker Acted?
According to Demoree, Dr. Bober never examined her before initiating the Baker Act process. - What is the current status of Demoree’s lawsuit?
The lawsuit is currently pending, with Demoree alleging she was falsely detained under the Baker Act and Marchman Act. - How long was Demoree held in mental health facilities?
Demoree was held for nearly two weeks at two mental health facilities.
