LARNED — Wednesday afternoon, officials from Larned State Hospital announced in a press release that they have opened a criminal investigation into an incident that happened over the weekend. On Sunday, June 2, a resident-on-resident altercation took place on the resident unit of LSH’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program. One of the program’s residents sustained injuries as a result, the extent of which, as well as how the altercation started, is part of the ongoing investigation, officials said. 

“I take this matter very seriously and am committed to providing a safe environment for every resident,” said Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard. “I have every confidence our dedicated officials at Larned State Hospital will conduct a thorough examination of this event and move forward with recommendations to prevent this in the future.” 

Results of the criminal investigation will be shared with the Pawnee County attorney.