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Arkansas police have launched a dragnet Wednesday for a psychologist and patient who left the Arkansas State Hospital without permission earlier this week, also issuing an arrest warrant for the psychologist, Michelle Messer, who is accused of taking the patient, Cory Chapin.
What happened?
According to surveillance video from this past Tuesday, Messer could be seen using her access to the hospital’s forensic unit and walking Chapin outside of the hospital. According to the Associated Press, Messer is wanted on a misdemeanor charge of aiding an unauthorized departure; the hospital also confirmed that she will be terminated from her job once she is located.
At this time, it is unclear what the exact relationship between Messer and Chapin is. According to Arkansas Online, their Facebook pages showed that Messer’s account was used to post comments on Chapin’s page.
Chapin has been the responsibility of the Human Services Department since late 2015 after he had been acquitted of charges of attempted kidnapping and theft due to reasons of insanity or mental deficit.
Who is Michelle Messer?
Messer maintained her own website, Arkansas Creative Behavioral Therapy, where she described her services as follows:
“I have modeled my practice and services after such a worthwhile mission. I am helping families connect in health ways and through loving hearts. Let me help you and your family begin more positive living and better functioning. I will assist you as you increase your successes in building resilient, healthier connections.”
On her website, Messer claimed to have gotten a master’s degree in clinical psychology in Georgia in 2002; she had been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, with 13 years of experience providing treatment to patients with psychiatric disorders.
According to Arkansas Online, an unidentified man at her residence refused to let Messer’s partner, Judith Lewis, speak to the press.