RUSK (KYTX) – A Rusk State Hospital employee has been placed on emergency leave pending an investigation for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun inside the hospital. A patient found the firearm unattended on the morning of June 13, according to a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which oversees Texas state hospitals.
The patient notified staff and the gun was properly secured without harm or incident, said Christine Mann, Press Officer for DSHS.
Rusk State Hospital has 243 beds and treats patients with varying forms of mental illness. The compound located off Hwy. 69 also houses a maximum security unit offering forensic psychiatric services.
CBS19 spoke with multiple sources Tuesday who have direct knowledge of the incident. Those sources, who wished to remain anonymous, said the firearm belonged to a psychiatric nurse's assistant who works in the hospital's San Jacinto Unit which primarily treats geriatric patients. The gun fell out of the man's bag as he worked an overnight shift last Sunday, the sources said.
Hospital policies prohibit employees and patients from carrying weapons on-site. Though Mann did not specify if employees are searched for weapons when they arrive at Rusk State Hospital, she said patients are searched upon admission for contraband that may injure themselves or others.
“We are currently investigating the matter to get a full account of what occurred and see if any [policy] changes are needed,” Mann said via email. “Patient and staff safety is our top priority.”
Pending results of its investigation, the employee could face disciplinary action from DSHS, possibly including termination, Mann said. The agency notified the Division of Family and Protective Service, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General about the incident.
The Office of the Inspector General would oversee any criminal investigations into this incident. CBS19 reached out to the office for information on pending legal action against the employee. Our calls were not returned Tuesday.
