Milwaukee County health leaders speak for the first time after a murder suspect was released from a mental health facility without proper notification.Amando Lang is the man at the center of the questioning. Prosecutors charged Lang with first-degree intentional homicide for the 2019 stabbing of Ben Christianson. Lang was found unfit to stand trial and spent a year in a mental health facility. It is unclear where he went after that state facility, but state law and his court record show the county was legally required to notify the court and the district attorney of his release. A spokesperson for DHHS told 12 News that it didn't happen.Greenfield police responded to Amando Lang's mother's house on June 15, 2025. Records show his mother called 911 because he was having a reaction to his medication. Body camera video obtained by 12 News shows officers didn't know he was in public.Thursday, board members on the Milwaukee County Committee on Health Equity, Human Needs and Strategic Planning questioned Department of Health and Human Services Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain and Behavioral Health Services Director Michael Lappen about Lang's release and the process.The report they presented states the county cross-checked and reviewed all Chapter 51 mental health commitments between court records and electronic health records. A DHHS spokesperson, and the county executive David Crowley, previously told 12 News Lang's case was an isolated incident. The question of why there was no notification still looms."To go back in time to actually state what, or how, or when, I don't know that anybody is going to be able to track that down," said Jennifer Rhodes, deputy corporation counsel for Milwaukee County. Lappen told county board members the county reviewed 15 current cases, saying all that are in compliance, but will do a "deep dive" on past cases. The report goes on to state that the county behavioral health services have also requested updates to health records to flag all cases where a person was committed because their criminal case turned civil after they were found unfit to stand trial, which is what happened in Lang's case. The county will also require a mental health care provider to notify the department 21 days before a release so the department can properly notify the court and district attorney. Behavioral health services will also develop mandatory training, change their electronic health records regarding these cases and routinely audit them. County lawyers have also requested a change in state law regarding cases in the future requiring defendants to appear in court at specific times to determine competency. Plus, the county wants inpatient treatment facilities to be required to notify the county before transferring or discharging defendants thirty days before so the county can properly notify the court and district attorney. Monday, the Milwaukee County Committee on Audits voted to move forward with an audit of Behavioral Health Services. The full county board must approve the audit. The Milwaukee County Mental Health Board also requested DHHS perform its own audit, which it will present in September, according to Lappen.Top HeadlinesThree people shot in 30-minute span in two separate Milwaukee shootingWaukesha School District considers closing schools amid enrollment decline16-year-old Milwaukee girl missing since June 18WATCH Ice chunk crashes into antique shop roof, Hudson owner left with questions
MILWAUKEE —
Milwaukee County health leaders speak for the first time after a murder suspect was released from a mental health facility without proper notification.
Amando Lang is the man at the center of the questioning. Prosecutors charged Lang with first-degree intentional homicide for the 2019 stabbing of Ben Christianson. Lang was found unfit to stand trial and spent a year in a mental health facility. It is unclear where he went after that state facility, but state law and his court record show the county was legally required to notify the court and the district attorney of his release. A spokesperson for DHHS told 12 News that it didn't happen.
Greenfield police responded to Amando Lang's mother's house on June 15, 2025. Records show his mother called 911 because he was having a reaction to his medication. Body camera video obtained by 12 News shows officers didn't know he was in public.
Thursday, board members on the Milwaukee County Committee on Health Equity, Human Needs and Strategic Planning questioned Department of Health and Human Services Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain and Behavioral Health Services Director Michael Lappen about Lang's release and the process.
The report they presented states the county cross-checked and reviewed all Chapter 51 mental health commitments between court records and electronic health records. A DHHS spokesperson, and the county executive David Crowley, previously told 12 News Lang's case was an isolated incident.
The question of why there was no notification still looms.
"To go back in time to actually state what, or how, or when, I don't know that anybody is going to be able to track that down," said Jennifer Rhodes, deputy corporation counsel for Milwaukee County.
Lappen told county board members the county reviewed 15 current cases, saying all that are in compliance, but will do a "deep dive" on past cases.
The report goes on to state that the county behavioral health services have also requested updates to health records to flag all cases where a person was committed because their criminal case turned civil after they were found unfit to stand trial, which is what happened in Lang's case. The county will also require a mental health care provider to notify the department 21 days before a release so the department can properly notify the court and district attorney.
Behavioral health services will also develop mandatory training, change their electronic health records regarding these cases and routinely audit them.
County lawyers have also requested a change in state law regarding cases in the future requiring defendants to appear in court at specific times to determine competency. Plus, the county wants inpatient treatment facilities to be required to notify the county before transferring or discharging defendants thirty days before so the county can properly notify the court and district attorney.
Monday, the Milwaukee County Committee on Audits voted to move forward with an audit of Behavioral Health Services. The full county board must approve the audit. The Milwaukee County Mental Health Board also requested DHHS perform its own audit, which it will present in September, according to Lappen.
Top Headlines
Three people shot in 30-minute span in two separate Milwaukee shooting
Waukesha School District considers closing schools amid enrollment decline
16-year-old Milwaukee girl missing since June 18
WATCH Ice chunk crashes into antique shop roof, Hudson owner left with questions
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