AUSTIN, Texas — The plight of Roland Nadeau, a 65-year-old former chiropractor, has drawn attention to the challenges faced by homeless individuals struggling with mental health issues. For nearly two decades, Nadeau has experienced frequent and often unjustified arrests while battling schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, resulting in what his attorney describes as a “revolving door” at the Travis County Jail.
Nadeau’s situation worsened significantly following a violent incident in May 2021, when another homeless person struck him in the knee with a hammer. Records indicate he spent a week in a Smithville hospital due to a staph infection but chose to leave before his condition improved. He later returned to the Travis County Jail, where officials noted complications from a MRSA infection, a dangerous antibiotic-resistant strain.
His legal troubles resurfaced on January 25, 2022, when he was arrested during a manic episode, believing himself to be deceased actor Richard Anderson. Once again, he was placed in the jail’s mental health unit, where staff documented his knee injury but failed to provide necessary medical treatment. Despite submitting multiple requests for care—especially crucial during a severe ice storm that disrupted jail operations—Nadeau was not taken to see a doctor.
Nadeau reported intense pain, leading him into a dissociative state characterized by hallucinations. He described vivid dreams of performing ordinary tasks outside his cell, a cruel reminder of the life he could not access.
On February 10, 2022, Nadeau’s court-appointed attorney, Morgan Shelburne, witnessed the severity of his condition during an authorized visit. Her concerns prompted her to report to county officials that he potentially faced a life-threatening bone infection. Shelburne noted his knee had swollen alarmingly, rendering him unable to reach basic facilities like a toilet.
Despite her urgent requests for medical attention, Nadeau did not see a doctor until February 15, after enduring further neglect. The medical staff’s delay led to doctors recommending emergency amputation to save his life. Ultimately, Nadeau lost both his leg below and above the knee due to a persistent infection.
Webber stated that Nadeau’s case exemplifies severe negligence in the Travis County Jail system, prompting them to file a lawsuit. The suit alleges violations of Nadeau’s rights under the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal judge has already allowed the lawsuit to proceed, with a trial slated for February 2024 if an agreement is not reached.
In the aftermath of his harrowing ordeal, Nadeau has relocated to a house in San Marcos, where he has begun reconnecting with family and engaging in therapy. Despite these positive steps, he struggles with physical mobility and emotional distress, expressing feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts following his amputation.
“Everything’s so difficult to do,” Nadeau shared, expressing his frustration. “Other people can do it, but I can’t seem to do it. It’s more than I can handle.”
This case underscores the broader issues of mental health care, homelessness, and the judicial system’s treatment of vulnerable populations, raising urgent questions about the adequacy of medical services in correctional facilities.
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