Hearing delayed for former Northwest Medical Center employee accused of abuse

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A hearing for a former Northwest Medical Center employee accused of abuse has been delayed, according to court documents.

Collyn Harlan, 28, was charged with one felony count of abuse of an endangered or impaired person. He pleaded not guilty to those charges in March 2023.

A felony information sheet accused Harlan of fracturing a victim’s ribs by throwing him to the floor.

Investigators found during the March 13, 2022 incident, a patient was voluntarily admitted to the behavioral health unit for recurrent severe major depressive disorder, according to an affidavit.

During the intake process, the victim was asked to remove clothing for a “skin assessment.” The victim said he was not comfortable doing this.

The affidavit said surveillance video showed Harlan and another employee grabbing the victim’s arm, raising his feet off the floor, and “forcefully” throwing him to the floor.

The patient’s medical records said he was “assisted to the floor for being noncompliant.”

Two other mental health technicians were seen in the video interacting with the victim during the intake process and said that he “did not show any signs of being physically aggressive during their interaction.” The victim began complaining of rib pain after the incident.

An x-ray taken two days later displayed fourth and fifth left-side rib fractures.

Harlan has a status hearing set for November 6, 2024.

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