ProPublica Illinois: Hundreds Of Kids ‘Stuck’ In Psychiatric Hospitals Each Year

Illinois children continue to be held at psychiatric hospitals for weeks and sometimes months after they’re ready for discharge.

By Nereida Moreno
Children in isolation are developing mental health issues.
Children in isolation are developing mental health issues.

ProPublica Illinois: Hundreds Of Kids ‘Stuck’ In Psychiatric Hospitals Each Year

Illinois children continue to be held at psychiatric hospitals for weeks and sometimes months after they’re ready for discharge.

By Nereida Moreno

In 2018, ProPublica Illinois found that hundreds of Illinois children languish in psychiatric hospitals long after they’re cleared for release. Despite the state’s promises to find them homes, reporter Duaa Eldeib says the problem has only gotten worse.

Reset learns why children are being held beyond medical necessity, and how the state is responding.

GUEST: Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica Illinois reporter