Nearly two years after 36-year-old former U.S. Marine Jordan Hunkin died by suicide , the shock is gone, but the hurt will always remain for his family.
“The grief will always be a part of you, it just won’t be as heavy,” said his mom Beverly, who has come to accept the constant state of grief that comes with losing a child.
WATCH: New concerns in how state reports use of Baker Act at VA hospitals
Florida VA hospitals don’t have to report use of Baker Act on patients
But learning to forgive the VA hospital that failed Jordan months before his death has been more far more challenging.
“He didn’t go there to be Baker Acted. He went there to get help,” said his mom.
Now, eight months after the VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a scathing report that found Malcolm Randall VA hospital in Gainesville improperly Baker Acted Jordan, violating his rights and possibly the rights of other veterans who were also Baker Acted after voluntarily seeking treatment, the hospital has updated its Baker Act policies and protocols .
In 2023, Jordan Hunkin, a former U.S. Marine who suffered from PTSD and depression, showed up at the hospital to enter, what he thought, was a voluntary mental health treatment program, his friends and family told us back in December.
But instead, Jordan ended up involuntarily committed for days under Florida’s Baker Act law.The state law allows designated professionals to involuntarily hold if that person is deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.At the time Jordan sought help at the hospital, he was neither suicidal nor a threat, but he was Baker Acted anyway. The OIG’s report revealed Jordan even questioned why to staff at the hospital.“This place is not what I expected,” he reportedly said to staff.“I don’t understand why I am here, or Baker Acted,” he said.Three days later, Jordan was released and never sought treatment from the VA again.He died by suicide six months later. PREVIOUS: Young veteran’s Baker Act at Florida VA hospital raises questions about use of state law Young veteran’s Baker Act at Florida […]
‘What are they hiding?’ Florida VA hospitals don’t have to report use of Baker Act on patients
