AUGUSTA — The head of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services has been ordered to appear in court next month to answer questions about the department’s refusal to accept a patient in the state’s psychiatric hospital.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Commissioner Mary Mayhew has been subpoenaed to appear for a contempt hearing in York County Superior Court on May 5. Riverview Psychiatric Center Superintendent Jay Harper has also been ordered to attend.
Attorney Amy Fairfield says Riverview has refused to accept her client even though he was found incompetent to stand trial and ordered into DHHS custody. He has remained in York County Jail for a month since the judge issued the court order.
DHHS spokesman David Sorensen says the department will challenge the subpoenas.
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