After mistakenly identifying an 11-year-old girl with limited verbal ability as a missing adult, New Zealand police admitted her to psychiatric care where she faced distressing treatment. Despite suggestions she was a child, staff restrained her and administered anti-psychotic medication intended for adults. Health officials acknowledged the severity of the incident and apologized, emphasizing the need for procedural changes to prevent future errors. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed deep empathy for the girl and called for investigations into this troubling case, which has sparked widespread outrage across the nation.
"The girl was restrained and injected with anti-psychotic medication that is rarely administered to children, due to the assumption that she was an adult patient."
"Richard Sullivan, a senior health official, offered an apology, stating, 'I just wish to start by apologising to this young person and her family for the trauma and distress that was caused.'"
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