Milwaukee County HHS explains policy changes after 'incompetent' man was released without notification

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County's Department of Health and Human Services is making several policy changes after a potentially dangerous man was released into the community with few people knowing about it.

On Thursday, July 10, a county board committee voiced approval of the pending changes, but HHS acknowledges there is more work to be done.

Back in 2019, Amando Lang stabbed and killed a man. He was not imprisoned because he was found not fit to stand trial.

But he was recently released back into the community without anyone being told.

Thursday's report listed several actions Health and Human Services is taking-and would like to take-to make sure it does not happen again.

Michael Lappen is the administrator of the county's Behavioral Health Services. He told the Committee on Health Equity, Human Needs and Strategic Planning, "We want to make sure there's multiple opportunities to catch any omissions or mistakes."

HHS leadership detailed seven steps it has taken or will take to make sure proper stakeholders are notified if a person committed for mental health issues will be released or transferred.

Supervisor Kathleen Vincent said, "We have to make sure individuals who are coming back into our communities are safe."

Last month in Greenfield, Amando Lang was the subject of a 911 call. Neither community leaders nor law enforcement knew Lang had been released.

A responding police officer could be heard saying on body camera during the June incident, "We were kind of shocked to hear that he's here like out on the street."

It happened in Vincent's district. She said she knows people who responded to the stabbing six years ago. She told us, "They have been re-traumatized by this matter and so has the victim's family. And that should be taken into consideration."

HHS acknowledges the mistake.

Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain told the committee, "We want to make sure, as administrator Lappen said, that we have all the processes and procedures in place to make sure this does not happen again."

Among the changes they're making:

• Longer notification periods the next time someone is set to be moved.
• Revised mandatory training on the communication policy.
• And all 15 current cases were reviewed; all are compliant.

But Vincent worries this is a statewide issue, saying, "I don't think this is just a Milwaukee County concern."

So the county's attorneys and others are proposing a clarification of state law that would require more communication.

Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke and State Representative Bob Donovan have been heavily involved.

Vincent said of their collective effort, "We don't always agree on everything, believe it or not, but this is one time you're going to see local, state, and municipal working together."

But there are still uncertainties.

HHS is unsure exactly where the breakdown in communication occurred, and Lang is not currently in custody.

Still, all involved say they're on the same page moving forward.

According to Vincent, "I think everyone, ultimately, just wants the situation to improve."

Earlier Thursday, the county's Mental Health Board directed HHS to conduct an audit of the entire process. Those results are due September 8.

Amando Lang underwent another competency exam Monday, July 7. Those results will be announced next week.