IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
In the Matter of the Detention of J.M. No. 73419-9-1
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent,
J.M., UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant. FILED: April 18, 2016
Verellen, C.J. — J.M. challenges the trial court's 14-day involuntary treatment
order, contending substantial evidence does not support the court's finding that he
suffered from a grave disability. But the State presented evidence that J.M. could not
provide for his essential needs of health and safety and that harmful consequences
would likely follow if involuntary treatment was not ordered. We conclude substantial
evidence supports the trial court's findings, and those findings in turn support its
conclusion.
Therefore, we affirm.
FACTS
On March 30, 2015, a designated mental health professional petitioned for J.M.'s
initial detention, and he was detained. Navos Inpatient Services then filed a 14-day
involuntary treatment petition, alleging that J.M. was gravely disabled due to a mental
No. 73419-9-1/2
disorder and, as a result, he "manifests severe deterioration in routine functioning
evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control over his/her
actions and is not receiving such care as is essential for his/her health or safety."1
Kenneth Schoener, a Program for Assertive Community Treatment team
member, and Dr. Julia Singer, a clinical psychologist, testified at the hearing.
Schoener testified that he has delivered psychiatric medication to J.M. for several
years, but J.M. had stopped taking his medication a few months ago. As a result, J.M.
has been completely off his medication for at least eight weeks. Schoener testified that
J.M. was usually "a very quiet, easy-going individual; sometimes engaging" when on his
medication. But since J.M. stopped taking his medication, he has been very angry
"about 90% of the time" and unsafe.2 About a week before the hearing, Schoener
observed J.M. walk diagonally across a busy intersection into oncoming traffic.
Schoener also testified that J.M. exhibited "angry, threatening behavior" since
being off his medication.3 Schoener observed J.M. acting aggressively toward other
residents at the complex. For example, he would knock on other residents' doors and
as soon as someone opened their door, he would "push[] his way in, and take[]
whatever he want[ed]."4 J.M. was also aggressive towards Schoener.
Dr. Singer testified that J.M. suffers from schizoaffective disorder, causing
substantial adverse effects on his cognitive and volitional functions. Dr. Singer testified
that "the symptoms he presents with, currently, include . . . significant mood problems:
1 Clerk's Papers (CP) at 22.
2RP(Apr. 3, 2015) at 7.
3 Jd, at 9.
4 Id. at 10.
No. 73419-9-1/3
he is irritable, he is angry, he becomes agitated rather easily. He has a very intense
affect. [H]e is clearly internally preoccupied at times, appearing to respond to internal
stimuli. And his judgment and impulse control are impaired."5
Dr. Singer confirmed that J.M. was off his medication. She also testified that J.M.
had "made it abundantly clear to all of us he has no intention of taking medications."6
Dr. Singer indicated that when on his medication, J.M. was "more cooperative,
sometimes engaging, pleasant, [and] quiet."7 Since J.M. stopped taking his medication,
Dr. Singer has "seen him go from reasonably calm and pleasant... on one contact; to
being very angry, on another, a day later."8
Based on Dr. Singer's brief evaluation of J.M. that morning and Schoener's
testimony at the hearing, Dr. Singer concluded that there had not been "any significant
progress" in stabilizing J.M.9 When asked what "harmful consequences" she foresaw if
J.M. were not committed, Dr. Singer said "he will not take medications, and will continue
to . . . deteriorate, continue to be aggressive, continue to do things like walking into
traffic diagonally, across a busy intersection, without looking at anybody. .. . [H]e will be
at risk of harm to himself."10
5]d at 23.
6id at 31.
7ld at 27.
8id at 25.
9 Id
10 Id . at 30.
No. 73419-9-1/4
Dr. Singer concluded that J.M. was gravely disabled and that he showed severe
deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of
cognitive and volitional control over his actions. Therefore, outside a hospital setting, he
would not receive the care essential to his health and safety. She recommended that
J.M. be committed for up to 14, adding that a less restrictive alternative would not meet
his needs.
The trial court granted the commitment petition, finding J.M. gravely disabled
under RCW 71.05.020(17)(b).
J.M. appeals.
ANALYSIS
The sole issue on appeal is whether the State presented substantial evidence to
prove that J.M. was gravely disabled.11 Our review is limited to determining whether
substantial evidence supports the trial court's findings of fact and if those findings in turn
support the court's conclusion.12 "Substantial evidence is 'evidence in sufficient
quantum to persuade a fair-minded person of the truth of the declared premise.'"13
Individuals may be involuntarily committed for up to 14 days ifthe State
demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that, as a result of a mental disorder,
11 Although J.M.'s commitment concluded long ago, J.M. contends, and the State
concedes, that his appeal is not moot because an involuntary commitment order may
have collateral consequences on future commitment determinations. See In re Pet, of
M.K.. 168 Wn. App. 621, 625-30, 279 P.3d 897 (2012). Under the circumstances, we
exercise our discretion to decide the appeal on the merits.
12 In re Pet, of LaBelle. 107 Wn.2d 196, 209, 728 P.2d 138 (1986).
13 In re Pet, of A.S., 91 Wn. App. 146, 162, 955 P.2d 836 (1998) (quoting Holland
v. Boeing Co., 90 Wn.2d 384, 390, 583 P.2d 621 (1978)).
No. 73419-9-1/5
they present a likelihood of serious harm or are gravely disabled.14 "Gravely disabled"
means a person, as a result of a mental disorder, "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."15 The State had to prove significant loss of cognitive or volitional
control and a factual basis for concluding that J.M. is not receiving or would not receive,
if released, the care essential for his health or safety.16 The "evidence should indicate
the harmful consequences likely to follow if involuntary treatment is not ordered."17
J.M. argues that care was merely beneficial and not essential to his health or
safety, and that the State failed to demonstrate that harmful consequences were likely
to recur without involuntary treatment.
The parties do not dispute J.M. suffered from a mental disorder at the time of his
commitment. Substantial evidence in the record here supports that J.M. was gravely
disabled by his disorder. Schoener testified that about a week before the commitment
hearing, he observed J.M. walk diagonally across a busy intersection into oncoming
traffic, "unaware of passing cars."18 Both Schoener and Dr. Singer testified that, when
on his medication, J.M. was cooperative, pleasant, quiet, and at times engaging. But
since J.M. stopped taking his medication two months ago, he had "become increasingly
14 RCW 71.05.240(3).
15 RCW 71.05.020(17).
16 LaBelle, 107 Wn.2d at 208.
17 id
18RP(Apr. 30, 2015) at 7.
No. 73419-9-1/6
aggressive" towards staff and other residents.19 Pr. Singer described J.M.'s behavior as
"deteriorating over time."20 She concluded that if J.M. was not committed, he would
continue to "be at risk of harm to himself."21 Further, Pr. Singer did not believe J.M.
"would be guided, in any meaningful way, by a less restrictive order" at that time.22 She
indicated J.M. was "not stable enough to be guided by it; nor, is he stable to maintain
safety, ifwe try sending him back out."23
Therefore, we conclude substantial evidence supports the court's findings that
J.M. was not receiving care essential to his health or safety and that harmful
consequences would likely follow if involuntary treatment was not ordered. And those
findings support the court's conclusion that J.M. suffered from a grave disability.
We affirm the involuntary treatment order.
WE CONCUR:
&X,T. &2J