Judge Orders Morgan Geyser Back to Psychiatric Facility Following Escape
A Wisconsin judge has mandated that Morgan Geyser, one of the perpetrators in the infamous Slender Man stabbing case, return to a state psychiatric hospital after her escape from a group home last month. This decision comes after a request by the state Department of Health Services, underscoring the ongoing concerns about her mental health management.
Why It Matters
The ruling not only highlights the complexities of managing mental health cases within the justice system but also raises questions about the criteria for release and the safety of the community. Geyser’s escape could have significant implications for the treatment of similar cases, particularly as discussions around mental health policies continue to evolve.
Key Developments
- Waukesha County Circuit Judge K. Scott Wagner revoked Morgan Geyser’s release privileges after she escaped a group home.
- Geyser, 23, was extradited from Illinois and had been in custody at the Waukesha County Jail following her escape on November 22.
- Her attorney argued that she should be housed in a mental health facility rather than a correctional institution.
- Geyser was initially granted conditional release in January after spending nearly eight years at Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
Full Report
The judge’s ruling stems from a request made by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to revoke Geyser’s release after her escape from the YoYo Quality Care group home in Madison. Geyser had been reported missing early on November 23, only to be found later that day at a truck stop in Illinois alongside a 43-year-old man.
In correspondence to the court, Geyser’s attorney, Anthony Cotton, contended that his client’s circumstances warranted a return to a mental health facility rather than being held in jail, emphasizing that Geyser has not incurred additional criminal charges since her release. “Given that she has been previously found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect on the underlying offense, it is our position that she should be housed in a mental health facility, not a correctional institution,” Cotton stated.
In 2014, Geyser and her friend, Anissa Weier, committed a brutal attack on their peer, Payton Leutner, during a sleepover. Both girls admitted to attempting to murder Leutner to appease the fictional horror character Slender Man. At the time of the attack, the girls were just 12 years old.
After pleading guilty to attempted intentional homicide in 2017, both were sentenced to mental confinement. Geyser received a 40-year sentence, while Weier was ordered to serve 25 years.
Context & Previous Events
This case has remained in the public eye since the attack in 2014, raising broader discussions about youth, mental health, and the legal system. Geyser’s initial conditional release in January followed nearly eight years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she was being treated for her mental health issues.
