Crime31 March, 20261 min read
Former Arkansas Psychiatrist Hyatt and Seven Indicted for Kidnapping Patients
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Brian Hyatt and seven others were federally indicted for kidnapping and drug conspiracy. Indictment alleges they held patients at Northwest Medical Center Behavioral Health Unit against their will.
Hyatt and Seven Indicted
Hyatt and seven co-workers were federally indicted for holding patients against their will. The indictment names eight defendants from various roles in the behavioral unit. The conspiracy used drugs, threats, and violence to hold patients and bill for services not medically necessary.
Chemical Restraints and Abuse
The indictment accuses the use of chemical restraints and denial of phone privileges. 27 patients were drugged against their will and some physically abused. Hyatt was already facing more than 200 civil lawsuits alleging false imprisonment.
Legal Exposure and Penalties
All eight defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Hyatt and Talbert face an additional drug conspiracy charge. The case marks a rare criminal prosecution of patient kidnapping in a medical setting.