Arkansas psychologist arrested after aiding an unauthorized departure of a state hospital patient

March 29, 2018

A psychologist and a mental patient who left the Arkansas State Hospital together last week have been arrested in Nevada.

Hospital employee and psychologist Michelle Messer, 41, faces a misdemeanor count of aiding an unauthorized departure of Cory Chapin, a state hospital patient. She also faces a felony count of providing prohibited articles to a patient.

Authorities said Messer and Chapin left the hospital together last week after hospital officials confronted Messer about providing contraband to Chapin. Messer, who has since been fired, is accused of giving Chapin a cellphone and a vaping device.

Chapin had been committed to the hospital in 2015 after he was arrested in Eureka Springs on charges of attempted kidnapping, theft and drug possession, according to court records. In that case, Chapin reportedly told police that God had instructed him to abduct and rape a woman. 

SOURCE: "Psychologist, patient arrested in Nevada after leaving Arkansas State Hospital together," KATV, 26 Mar 2018, http://katv.com/news/local/psychologist-patient-arrested-in-nevada-after-leaving-arkansas-state-hospital-together.