Matter of Doty

247 S.E.2d 628 (1978) 38 N.C. App. 233

In the Matter of Bertha J. DOTY.

No. 7821DC407.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

October 3, 1978.

Atty. Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten, by Associate Atty. Gen. Christopher S. Crosby, Raleigh, for the State.

Susan Freya Olive, Butner, counsel for respondent appellant.

ARNOLD, Judge.

The North Carolina involuntary commitment statute requires two findings before a person may be committed against his will: (1) that the person is mentally ill or inebriate, and (2) that he is imminently dangerous to himself or others. N.C.G.S. §§ 122-58.1, -58.7(i), and -58.8(b). The statutory definition of mental illness, N.C.G.S. §§ 122-58.2(2) and -36(d), is broadly written and may well encompass Bertha Doty's condition, even though the record shows no specific evidence of her symptoms. The doctor testified only that Ms. Doty was unable to care for herself, and that she was a complete nursing care problem.

It is the second finding, however, that requires us to reverse the court's ruling. By requiring that the person be found imminently dangerous to himself or others, the legislature has made it clear that involuntary commitment is not for all those who are mentally ill, or even for those whose mental illness may make it necessary for them to have custodial care. Although Bertha Doty may come within the statutory definition of "dangerous to himself," N.C. G.S. 122-58.2(1), two recent decisions from this Court make clear that there has been no showing here of imminent danger.

In In re Carter, 25 N.C.App. 442, 213 S.E.2d 409 (1975), the trial court had found the respondent mentally ill and unable to take care of her personal needs for food, clothing and shelter. This Court held:

There is . . . no finding sufficient to satisfy the [requirement of imminent danger]. If [the trial court's finding] be considered sufficient to show a determination by the court that respondent was dangerous to herself as defined in G.S. § 122-58.2(1), yet there was no finding that the danger was imminent.

Id. at 445, 213 S.E.2d at 411. And although the trial court had found as fact that the respondent suffered from violent temper, serious lack of insight, insufficient appreciation of the needs of others, and suspiciousness, this Court held that the evidence would not have supported a finding of imminent danger.

Again in In re Salem, 31 N.C.App. 57, 228 S.E.2d 649 (1976), this Court has indicated that the requirement of imminent danger will be taken seriously.

The words ``imminently dangerous' simply mean that a person poses a danger to himself or others in the immediate future.

* * * * * *

In the case of [the first respondent] the only evidence tending to show dangerousness was provided by a doctor who indicated that [respondent] ``appears mentally unable [to] care for self & probably of imminent danger to self.' . . . Such evidence is not clear, cogent and convincing.

In the case of [the second respondent] the doctor's affidavit stated that [respondent] ``appears unable to cope with daily living.' Again this evidence fails to present clear, cogent and convincing evidence of imminent danger.

Id. at 61, 228 S.E.2d at 652.

There is less evidence in this case than in either of those cited that Bertha Doty is of imminent danger to herself. The requirements for involuntary commitment are not met. Even if they were met at some time during Ms. Doty's hospitalization, the statute makes clear the legislature's intent in such a situation: "[C]ommitted persons will be discharged as soon as a less restrictive mode of treatment is appropriate." N.C. G.S. § 122-58.1. The uncontroverted testimony of the doctor for the State is that Ms. Doty "needs nursing home or similar care."

The United States Supreme Court has recognized that "the mere presence of mental illness does not disqualify a person from preferring his home to the comforts of an institution. . . [I]ncarceration is rarely if ever a necessary condition for raising the living standards of those capable of surviving safely in freedom, on their own or with the help of family or friends." O'Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563, 575, 95 S.Ct. 2486, 2493-94, 45 L.Ed.2d 396, 407 (1975). There are two humanitarian purposes for involuntary commitment: temporary withdrawal from society of those who may be dangerous, and treatment. French v. Blackburn, 428 F.Supp. 1351 (M.D.N.C. 1977). Neither of those is being served here.

The judgment of the trial court is

Reversed.

BROCK, C. J., and CLARK, J., concur.