Arkansas – A federal grand jury indicted an Arkansas doctor, B. Hiyatt, last month, accusing the former chairman of the Arkansas State MedicaI Board of orchestrating a scheme involving the alleged drugging and unlawful detention of patients at a psychiatric facility in SpringdaIe.
According to the indictment, the defendant is charged with two federal counts of kidnapping, along with distribution of controIIed substances. Prosecutors allege he administered powerful, mind-altering sedatives to multiple patients without medical necessity in order to keep them admitted to the facility longer than required. Arkansas authorities said the alleged actions were financially motivated, tied to increased healthcare reimbursements linked to extended patient stays.
The charges stem from an investigation into practices at the NWC BehavioraI Health, where the defendant’s medical company had been contracted to provide psychiatric services between 2018 and 2022. Federal prosecutors allege that during this period, patients were improperly sedated and held against their will, raising serious concerns about both patient safety and medical ethics.
Court documents outlined how investigators reviewed medical records, interviewed former patients and staff, and analyzed treatment patterns at the facility. The indictment claims that documentation often failed to reflect patients’ true conditions, with records allegedly containing vague or generic notes instead of accurate medical assessments. Prosecutors said this practice may have been used to conceal the lack of appropriate treatment and justify continued confinement.
Seven additional individuals, including mental health workers, administrative staff, and nurses who worked under Hyatt, were also indicted as part of the case. Prosecutors allege that some of the co-defendants failed to intervene despite being aware of the misconduct, claiming they feared losing their jobs if they spoke out. These individuals are accused of neglecting their duty of care by not properly documenting patient conditions and failing to report alleged abuses.
Other co-defendants face more direct allegations. According to the indictment, some employees actively participated in the misconduct by using threats, coercion, or intimidation to force patients to accept unnecessary treatment. In one instance detailed by prosecutors, an employee allegedly caused a serious injury to a patient while attempting to physically restrain her. Arkansas authorities also allege that some staff members used physical force or intimidation to prevent patients from reporting the alleged abuse.
Federal investigators said the case reflects a broader pattern of misconduct rather than isolated incidents. The indictment suggests that the alleged actions were part of a coordinated effort within the facility, involving both medical and administrative personnel.
If convicted, the doctor and the co-defendants could face severe penalties. The charges carry a potential maximum sentence of life in prison, along with fines that could reach up to $250,000 and additional supervised release following incarceration.
As of the latest reports, no attorneys had been publicly listed for the defendant or the other individuals charged. The Arkansas State Medical Board did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the indictment.
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities continuing to examine evidence and prepare for potential court proceedings.