Full Breakdown
Kenneth Hass' Death Highlights Alleged Neglect at Oregon State Hospital
7/15/2026, 8:55:20 PM
Core Event: Fatal Water Intoxication in Seclusion
On March 18, 2025, 25-year-old Kenneth Hass died in a seclusion room at Oregon State Hospital (OSH) after drinking an estimated 89 cups (about 5.1 gallons) of toilet water over three hours. Staff observed Hass crawl onto the toilet seat, slip, fall backward, strike his head on the door, vomit, and begin convulsing. A “Code Blue” was called, but emergency responders did not enter the room for more than five minutes; the crash cart arrived without oxygen, and CPR was not initiated until after Hass’ breathing had ceased. He was pronounced dead 47 minutes after the code was activated.
Background & Context: Prolonged Isolation and Lack of Treatment
Hass was admitted to OSH on March 30, 2022 after court-ordered psychiatric evaluations following assaults on a public-safety officer and a trespassing charge. The complaint alleges he spent 250 consecutive days in isolation, tied in four-point restraints, denied clean clothing, showers, and regular bathroom access, and was left in a room “smeared with feces and urine.” No formal diagnosis or treatment plan was ever documented, and staff allegedly relied on extended seclusion rather than medical intervention.
Key Figures & Groups
- Kenneth Hass – former patient whose death is the subject of the lawsuit.
- Sierra Hass – his sister and plaintiff in the wrongful-death action.
- Oregon State Hospital (OSH) – the state psychiatric facility where the incident occurred.
- Oregon Health Authority (OHA) – oversees OSH and is a defendant in the suit.
- Gov. Tina Kotek – directed a 30-day response plan and the appointment of a new permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy.
Data & Statistics
- Seclusion duration: 250 days (nearly eight months).
- Water consumption: ~90 cups (5.1 gallons) of toilet water in three hours.
- Emergency response delay: >5 minutes before CPR and use of the AED.
- Code Blue interval: 47 minutes elapsed before death was pronounced.
- Isolation incidents: Over 51 hours in a single episode; staff documented multiple falls and vomiting episodes.
Official Statements & Responses
OHA declined to comment on the active litigation, stating only that it does not comment on ongoing lawsuits. A spokesperson for the agency reiterated this position in response to inquiries. KGW, the local NBC affiliate, reported the same lack of comment from OHA. Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a 30-day corrective action plan for OSH and confirmed the replacement of the interim superintendent with Sean Murphy, effective July 13, 2026.
Criticism & Opposition
The Hass family’s complaint characterizes the care as “extreme neglect and abuse,” alleging that staff repeatedly allowed life-threatening behavior without intervention and treated Hass’ death as a “running joke.” The lawsuit accuses OSH and OHA of violating constitutional rights to safety and dignity, neglecting to develop a treatment plan, and relying on “four-point restraints” and isolation despite known fall risk and signs of water intoxication.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The complaint notes that Hass was never formally diagnosed with psychogenic polydipsia, yet staff documented his habit of drinking from the toilet. No medical record provides a definitive treatment plan, and the audit cited “significant” life-threatening delays without specifying exact response times beyond the five-minute window.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You don't have to chart it,” — Unnamed OSH worker (complaint)
- “No one used the AED that arrived with the crash cart.” — Complaint filing
- “Over the following hours, Kenneth drank nearly 90 cups of water from the toilet while staff assigned to watch him failed to intervene or even document it.” — Complaint excerpt
- “Kenneth experienced so much abuse as a child, and yet he was the greatest protector and friend to myself, my children, everyone. Kenneth deserved respect and dignity like any other person, and the hospital failed to acknowledge this and caused him to suffer for so many years. I believe this lawsuit will bring about whatever form of justice can be left in this situation,” — Sierra Hass, sister
- “This wasn't just medical malpractice. It was a violation of Kenneth's most basic constitutional rights to safety and dignity. We intend to hold the state of Oregon fully accountable, and force real change so no other patient endures what Kenneth did.” — Attorneys for the estate
What's Next
Gov. Kotek’s 30-day response plan will assess OSH protocols, and a special master may be appointed to oversee reforms as requested in the lawsuit. The new permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, is expected to implement changes before the end of the 30-day period.
