One-third of Oklahoma kids in foster care were moved at least two counties away increasing the strain on youth, foster parents, caseworkers and families trying to regain custody.

The post Oklahoma’s Foster Family Shortage Forces Children From Their Communities appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

A bill filed last month could result in earlier intervention for Oklahomans experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. But it would also suspend people’s rights sooner.

The post Lawmakers Seek Changes to Mental Health Law appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Untreated mental health and substance abuse conditions killed 28 people detained in Oklahoma jails last year with no consequences to those responsible for their care, an Oklahoma Watch investigation revealed.

The post These Oklahomans Needed Mental Health Care. Instead, They Died in Jail. appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

A Department of Corrections investigation recommended manslaughter charges after Lawton prison staff left an injured inmate to die. Now, his mother is suing staff and the operator of Oklahoma’s lone private prison.

The post Lawton Inmate Dies After Private Prison Staff Refused Care, Lawsuit Claims appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

An Oklahoma Watch investigation found that Pottawatomie County jail officials covered up the deaths of detainees. The man responsible for investigating those deaths just got promoted.

The post Pottawatomie Jail Investigator Promoted Amid Cover-Up Allegations appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Fourteen weeks into her pregnancy, Magon Hoffman found out she had a life-threatening blood clot. Six weeks later she learned that her fetus, developing without a skull, had no chance of survival. She had to travel to New Mexico for care.

The post Her pregnancy was non-viable and her life was at risk but Oklahoma Law Prevented an Abortion appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Pottawatomie County jail officials apparently defied state laws and a judge’s order when they concealed information on the unexplained deaths of seven vulnerable detainees. All seven people arrived at the jail with medical and mental health or substance use complications that required care. None of them made it home alive. Most of their families still don’t know why.

The post Cover-up Alleged in Pottawatomie County Jail Deaths appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The Oklahoma nonprofit that certifies advocates who support victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, lobbies for legislation to protect them and brings in millions in federal funding to support them is ceasing operations next month

The post Nonprofit Dissolves After Federal Investigators Froze Funding appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Instead of taking him to a hospital for evaluation or taking him to jail, an Oklahoma City police officer took Ernest Antwine to no man’s land. And that’s where he died.

The post Man in Mental Health Crisis Killed by Passing Truck After OKC Police Abandoned Him appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Tulsa police officers heckled a grandmother in the throes of a bipolar episode and then tackled her in October 2021. After completing an internal investigation, the department won’t say if anyone was held accountable.

The post Tulsa Police Defy Department Policy By Hiding Internal Investigation appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.