BAKER ACT AND POLICE REPORT

Please remember this is an involuntary surrender to the authorities, based on a person's active mental state and the level of danger to themselves and those around you. Person's contesting wrongful baker act cases have been won in Florida, Darcy never contested her case.

The Baker Act is a Florida law that allows for the involuntary examination and temporary detention of people with mental illnesses who are a danger to themselves or others:

• Eligibility

  A person may be eligible for the Baker Act if they: 

  • Have a mental illness that substantially interferes with their ability to function 

  • Are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent to voluntary examination 

  • Are likely to cause serious harm to themselves or others without treatment 

• Process

  The Baker Act process can begin in several ways, including: 

  • An affidavit is signed by someone who believes the person meets the criteria 

  • A law enforcement officer encounters the person and takes them into custody 

• Detention

  A person can be detained for up to 72 hours. During this time, they will be under observation and receive care from a doctor. 

• Named after Maxine Baker

  The Baker Act was named after Maxine Baker, a former Miami State representative who sponsored the bill in 1972. 

• Confidentiality

  Mental health facilities must maintain the confidentiality of all information about the individual. Information can only be released with the person's consent, or in limited circumstances. 

Baker Act.pdf

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On April 13th, 2013, Darcy Ode Butkus called 911 telling them she was God. The police showed up at the house and met with Arnold Butkus who stated ”that his wife Darcel Butkus had not been to sleep since April 9th, 2013. Due to the lack of sleep she is now behaving in a delusional manner”. Arnold Butkus then stated ”he didn’t know when she last showered or consumed food. He also stated that he last observed her this morning in her bedroom acting delusional and arguing with God over the things that he (God) wants her to do”.

At this point the officer and Arnold Butkus walk in to Darcy Butkus’s room where they find her naked (and pacing back and forth) screaming out loud, ”She does not want to do it”!

The Officer then stated, “Once Darcel observed me, she turned to me and screamed, ”No, I am not going to do that to her!” I asked Darcel if she would put clothing on since she called 911 at which time she said, “God wants me this way!”

Arnold then grabbed Darcel and began putting clothes on her. Darcel continued screaming while chanting, “I am God and I am going to do it!” When I asked her what she was going to do she turned to me and said, “God wants me to!”

The officer stated, “Based on Darcel’s delusional thoughts, behaviors, and self neglect I explained that I was going to take her to Memorial East Hospital for a psychological evaluation.” Darcel ended up agreeing with the cop that she had been neglecting herself and without an evaluation she was likely to hurt herself and others.

The cop then secured Darcy Ode Butkus into the patrol vehicle and transported her to the hospital. While enroute to the hospital Darcel continued to scream out loud that, “God was telling her to do things that would change the world.”