The Latest: Prosecutors: No charges in mental hospital death

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on the investigation into the death of a Wisconsin mental hospital patient (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Prosecutors have decided not to charge anyone in connection with the death of a Wisconsin mental hospital patient who waited more than 14 hours to be taken to an emergency room following a fall that left him unresponsive.

The Oshkosh Police Department issued a news release Wednesday saying the Winnebago County district attorney’s office has decided not to file any criminal charges in the death. The release said investigators determined the 58-year-old man “purposely fell.”

The release didn’t elaborate. Messages left at the district attorney’s office and at the police department weren’t immediately returned.

State inspectors say the patient fell at 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 and became unresponsive. It wasn’t until after midnight that he was taken to an emergency room. He died weeks later.

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11:55 a.m.

Prosecutors are investigating the death of a Wisconsin mental hospital patient who waited more than 14 hours to be taken to an emergency room after suffering a fall that left him unresponsive.

Winnebago County District Attorney Christian Gossett said Tuesday a prosecutor is reviewing the findings of a police investigation before deciding whether any charges are merited. The Oshkosh Northwestern reports the investigation comes at a time when the Winnebago Mental Health Institute is at risk of losing federal funds because of safety concerns raised by state and federal investigators.

State inspectors say the patient who died fell at 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 and became unresponsive, but it wasn’t until after midnight that he was taken to an emergency room. He died weeks later.

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Information from: Oshkosh Northwestern Media, http://www.thenorthwestern.com

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