A teenage girl was found dead near a hospital she had just walked out of an hour before. Evelin Chacko had received care at Royal Bolton Hospital on July 13, 2020, and after being discharged, she was found deceased in a nearby wooded area.
An official investigation, held at Bolton Coroners' Court, revealed that Evelin's admission to the hospital followed an overdose incident at her family's home in Farnworth on July 1.
However, concerns were raised about the placement she was put in during her hospital stay.
Evelin's family shared in court that they believed there were shortcomings at various stages leading up to the untimely death of the 16-year-old girl.
Coroner Alan Walsh learned that Evelin had a history of struggling with thoughts of self-harm and suicide, as well as panic attacks.
Her family stated that she often expressed such intentions during disagreements with loved ones.
Diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, Evelin's case was reported by The Manchester Evening News.
After she confessed that she had taken an overdose, her mother, Valsamma John, called for an ambulance, leading to her admission to Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E.
The following day, she was assigned to the C2 ward, which predominantly caters to elderly patients with complex medical needs.
Dr. Geraldine Donnelly, a ward consultant, mentioned that Evelin was kept there for her safety, despite concerns about the suitability of the ward.
Dr. Donnelly expressed her attempt to contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the days leading up to Evelin's demise but was hindered by a full voicemail inbox.
She also highlighted a lack of an adequate plan for observation on the ward.
The court discovered that Evelin had left the ward and returned home on multiple occasions, though she always came back.
Dr. Donnelly confirmed that the ward allowed patients to come and go freely from July 5 onwards.
During her stay, Evelin appeared cheerful, and there was no indication that she had suicidal thoughts.
The inquest revealed discussions about admitting Evelin to a mental health ward following an incident prior to her death, but this option was not pursued after an assessment.
On the day of her death, Evelin interacted with family and friends, leaving the hospital around 2pm.
CCTV footage later showed her walking alone at 2.11pm near the hospital. Her lifeless body was found just over an hour later in nearby woods.
Police officer Zac Marsden, responding to a call, revealed that Evelin had searched for hanging methods on her phone on the day of her passing.
The data also indicated previous searches relating to suicide.
An inquest into her death, initiated in July 2020, was postponed due to lockdown and a Care Quality Commission investigation.
Evelin's mother and best friend paid heartfelt tributes during the inquest, remembering her as a loving, vibrant, and cherished individual. The inquest continues its proceedings.
In another news, a family of 5 have tragically lost their lives after they were hit by a reckless driver. See detailed story here
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