Alaska Man in Adult Protective Custody Released From Hospital, but Finds Himself in Legal Limbo

An Alaska man who had been at the center of a custody battle between his family and the state after he was declared incapacitated by medical officials was released from the hospital about a week ago.

The announcement first came in a Facebook post on the "Free Bret Bohn" page, which purports to be run by a long-time family friend.

"Bret was discharged by Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA about a week ago," the post said. "He is doing exceptionally well considering what he has been through."

Bret Bohn, 27, is now a ward of the state after a custody battle broke out following his admittance into an Alaska hospital. (Image source: Screen grab via KTUU-TV)

"He is with family members in Idaho for an undetermined amount of time," it continued. "Everyone is very happy that Bret is safe, and that he has survived the past 7 months."

[sharequote align="center"]"Everyone is very happy that Bret is safe, and that he has survived the past 7 months."[/sharequote]

The Facebook post's claims were confirmed to the Alaska Dispatch by family members, but they would not elaborate on why Bohn had moved to Idaho.

Bohn's family told TheBlaze in late February that they took their son to the hospital to be treated for insomnia. After he was unable to sleep for some 24 days, his mental faculties significantly diminished and his parents assumed power of attorney using a written agreement that had been drawn up years earlier.

When the family determined that they thought the hospital's prescribed treatment made their son worse, they attempted to seek a second opinion and withdraw their son from the hospital. Eventually a custody battle broke out and a judge ruled in favor of the state, rendering the 27-year-old in custody of Adult Protective Services. His family told TheBlaze that the hospital heavily medicated their son, following the ruling.

"After being placed under a new medical team, Harborview removed Electro-Convulsive Treatment (ECT) from his treatment plan, as Bret was observed to be greatly responsive to reduced medication dosages. Despite ECT and a wide range of medications (all approved by the Alaska State Guardianship), friends, family and supporters are tremendously happy this path was halted," the Facebook post said. "Bret's followers always shared a concern that the gamut of medications and ECT plan set into motion by Providence Hospital were unnecessary. Thank goodness reduction of medication was realized as an effective option, and that the alternative path was finally ceased. It’s a miracle in the making indeed."

The post also said that Bohn is continuing to work with medical professionals and detailed the legal conundrum he currently finds himself in.

"Bret continues to seek the council from Harborview and a local medical provider in Idaho to safely diminish his medications to zero, as he has always desired," it said. "He is eager to continue where he left off before all this unfolded, however, he is discovering there are legal complications in terminating the Alaska Guardianship. The State of Alaska OPA continues to enforce their involvement and ownership over Bret, appearing it will not cease without a court hearing(s). Bret is working towards taking the necessary steps to terminate guardianship status in Alaska."

"Bret is reviewing court documents and medical records to piece together understanding of the events that have unfolded over the past 7 months of his care," the post continued. "He wants to fully understand how, why and what decisions were made on his behalf, outside of his own health directive, as he was deemed incapacitated by Providence Hospital in Anchorage Alaska."

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