TX TX - Deanna Merryfield, 13, Killeen, 22 July 1990 - #1

[elepher50]

Hi Woof,

Glad to see you back on Deanna's thread ....... wish there was something we could sleuth to help find Deanna. I would love to see Mr. Skipper interviewed.

 

[eeyorelrn]

I wondered onto this thread while I was at work (some nights there is an abundance of downtime), and after reading though, I have a theory, and was wondering what everyone's take on it is....

(PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS JUST ME BRAINSTORMING, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCES AS A NURSE, TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW CERTAIN PIECES OF THE PUZZLE COULD FIT TOGETHER. THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN ONLY AS SUCH. I AM JUST OFFERING MY 2 CENTS IN AN EFFORT TO HELP MISSIE AND AMY FIND THEIR SISTER, AND I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS AVENUE DISCUSSED OR INVESTIGATED.)

It it possible, that at some point after leaving Killeen, Deanna somehow ended up in a state mental health facility (for some unknown reason)? This would help explain a few things.

1) In most states, when a minor is housed in a state mental health facility, when they turn 18, there had to to be a hearing to determine if the person needs to remain in state custody and be transferred over to an adult facility, or is ready to be released into the community. This would help explain the 'reappearence' in 1995.

2) Medical Records are confidential and heavily regulated by the feds (a la HIPAA). This would explain why there would be no record of her for those 5 years or so. (Even back before HIPAA, mental health records were more strictly regulated than regular medical records in an effort to protect the patients.)

3) This one is a little hinkey, as I am sure laws differ state to state. However, having worked with the SC Dept. Of Mental Health (DMH) I know that because medical/mental health records are used in all of the detainment hearings, those records are sealed or locked so that while they are officially judicial hearings, they are not posted on public dockets, therfore maintining DMH adhearence with the HIPAA laws.

4) IF by chance Deanna was in one of these facilities, whether it be for treatment for a condtion that she developed after leaving, or for some type of drug/alcohol rehab, maybe after her leaving, her decision to not contact family could have had something to do with that stay, maybe like a 'leave the past behind' scenario?

5) Could her contact with law enforcement in 1995 could actually be related to her release from a state facility? I will admit, this one may be a little bit of a stretch, maybe it was like a welfare check by request of a counselor or social workerbecause of a failed appearence at an appointment or a failure to show for a hearing?

6) Could her mother, or even stepfather, have possibly known about an admission to a state facility, but to protect Deanna never divulged this information. (I will myself admit that this is probably the least likely of all, but I will say, I have seen it happen before because of a stigma of some kind a family felt it placed on the person.) At some point, with her being a minor, a parental figure would have surely been contacted.

As I said in the begining, this it only one theory. However, it is one I have seen no mention or discussion of on any previous posts (unless of course iI overlooked something, which is possible.)

I can only hope and pray that Deanna is safe and happy wherever she is, and she comes home to her loving sisters very soon, no matter the circumstances.

 

[The_Woof]

Hi Woof,

Glad to see you back on Deanna's thread ....... wish there was something we could sleuth to help find Deanna. I would love to see Mr. Skipper interviewed.

Stupid work gets in the way of my sluthing.


I live accross the state, or I'd be tempted to go interview him my self.

 

[The_Woof]

eeyorelrn,
Good theory!

 

[The_Woof]

Texas Commitment laws 1996

Psychiatric Scam

Read the second article. Eeyorelrn might very well be onto something. Deanna wouldn't have had family contacting a state senator....

 

[The_Woof]

Runaway Services in Bell County, active since 1977

 

[The_Woof]

Ms. McGriff,

I am looking for a young girl who went missing from Kileen Texas in 1990, Deanna Merryfield. So far, police and family members have been unable to determine if she ran away or if she was abducted. She was experiencing family problems with her mother and step father at the time and CPS had become involved. The family has determined that she was not removed and placed in CPS custody.

I understand that Central Texas Youth Services operates a runaway shelter and has been in operation since 1978. This is a resource that would have been available to Deanna. Would it be possible for you to check your records and see if you provided services to this young lady? In addition, any insight you could give into what was going on with runaways in the early 90's would be great. Were there other shelters, groups or resources that she might have utalized.

Any help you could give in this matter would be appreciated.

My Real Name

NCMEC page

Deanna Merryfield
Missing Since: July 22, 1990 from Killeen, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: February 2, 1977
Age: 13 years old
Height and Weight: 5'4, 115 poundsMissing Since: July 22, 1990 from Killeen, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: February 2, 1977
Age: 13 years old
Height and Weight: 5'4, 115 pounds

 

[Julessleuther]

Sorry I have been a bit busy lately too. Sounds like there are some good ideas floating around. Anything new from Sgt D Missie?

 

[MissieMt]

Good Morning all!! Eeyorelrn, that is a darn good theory, I wonder if there is a way for us to investigate it further or if it's something I would have to forward to Sgt.D (and then wait, and wait, and wait).
Woof, a million thanks for sending that email. Please let us know if you hear anything!!

 

[The_Woof]

No word yet

 

[elepher50]

Thanks Woof - I have been wondering if you heard anything yet. Thanks for all you are doing.

Eleph

 

[eeyorelrn]

Good Morning all!! Eeyorelrn, that is a darn good theory, I wonder if there is a way for us to investigate it further or if it's something I would have to forward to Sgt.D (and then wait, and wait, and wait).
Woof, a million thanks for sending that email. Please let us know if you hear anything!!

I have a feeling, that with all the red tape that HIPAA creates, it would HAVE to go through LE, because more than likely a search warrent would be needed just to look through the Texas mental health systems records. I know he is probably working on other leads, but I don't think it would hurt to discuss it with him. The worst he could say is that ehy have already ruled this possibility out, right?

 

[MissieMt]

Okay guys...my hard drive self destructed yesterday afternoon
Everything I had saved is gone. I'm not even sure how big of an impact this will have because I don't even remember what all was on their (you know, all the stuff you just take for granted and assume will be accessible forever).

 

[thefragile7393]

I have a feeling, that with all the red tape that HIPAA creates, it would HAVE to go through LE, because more than likely a search warrent would be needed just to look through the Texas mental health systems records. I know he is probably working on other leads, but I don't think it would hurt to discuss it with him. The worst he could say is that ehy have already ruled this possibility out, right?

Even then this could be a problem. It depends on how the facility applies HIPAA. Very annoying.
Hospital where I used to work at would only permit records to leave the facility via a signed auth from the person, or the person's authorized representative. Didn't matter if they were from the police and flashing a badge, a gun...didn't matter. Nope. The only way they could be gotten was via court order. In this case, it could be even trickier because no one knows if she was a patient anywhere. Not trying to be a downer, just telling my experience from one facility in a different state....again...it just depends on the facility.

 

[The_Woof]

Sent a follow up e mail - it's been 7 days.

*hmpf*

Maybe she's on vacation

 

[eeyorelrn]

Even then this could be a problem. It depends on how the facility applies HIPAA. Very annoying.
Hospital where I used to work at would only permit records to leave the facility via a signed auth from the person, or the person's authorized representative. Didn't matter if they were from the police and flashing a badge, a gun...didn't matter. Nope. The only way they could be gotten was via court order. In this case, it could be even trickier because no one knows if she was a patient anywhere. Not trying to be a downer, just telling my experience from one facility in a different state....again...it just depends on the facility.

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about.... Something that was supposed to make it easier for health records to be transferred from facility to facility AND protect us from having our medical histories posted all over the internet for all to see, and it becomes this MOSTER that takes the Supreme Courts approval and an act of GOD just to find out if you had all of your immunizations.... I still think it would be worth talking to the Lead Investigator about.... COuldn't get us any further off the trail than we have been since she disappeared, you know what i mean?

 

[thefragile7393]

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about.... Something that was supposed to make it easier for health records to be transferred from facility to facility AND protect us from having our medical histories posted all over the internet for all to see, and it becomes this MOSTER that takes the Supreme Courts approval and an act of GOD just to find out if you had all of your immunizations.... I still think it would be worth talking to the Lead Investigator about.... COuldn't get us any further off the trail than we have been since she disappeared, you know what i mean?

HIPAA is BS. It's nothing but a beaurocratic nightmare. Since every facility can apply it differently it really should have what's good taken out and applied uniformly all across the board and toss out the rest. I couldn't even tell people over the phone if they had even been seen at the facility--ever! Other hospitals in my area could give that simple information though, and people would get so po'ed when I told them that I could not give them any of that general information! OF course they could come in and get their records and pay for them, even if they only needed a date for an insurance claim. Anyway I don't want to get off topic but yeah, it's worth a try with the lead investigator just to see what could be gotten.

 

[Julessleuther]

Cannot let this drop to the 2nd page.

 

[elepher50]

Hey Woof, have you heard anything back yet? A response or anything?

Eleph

 

[The_Woof]

Hey Woof, have you heard anything back yet? A response or anything?

Eleph

No, Eleph and it's cheesing me off. I sent it via g mail and could not find a return receipt option to see if it was even read. I was considering the next step today. Any advice?