Inquest: Mum’s devotion praised
The mum of a Sunderland teenager who died after leaving a mental health unit was praised for her devotion through his struggles.
Keaton Shawn Burton was an informal patient at the Tranwell Unit at Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital aftergoingmissingfromhisSunderlandhomeonJune11,2019, having left notes which led his mother Jessica Talbot to believeheplannedtotakehislife.
He started to experience mental health difficulties in his teens, either caused or exacerbated by the use of illicit substances.
Hehadaworkingdiagnosis ofseveredepressionandaprescriptionforanti-depressants.
As Keaton’s stay on the Fellside Ward was voluntary and there was no cause to force him to remain, he was allowed short leave following assessments.
The 19-year-old had “tested the boundaries” saying he wanted to go home, but his mother and staff agreed it was not in his best interests.
Keaton’s mum rallied his friends for a visit to see him which had raised his spirits.
OnthenightofJune23,duringacigarettebreak,heleftthe hospital grounds, with Northumbria Police grading him a medium risk.
He went to his aunt’s, then his mum’s, before “absconding” and was found dead in the Tunstall Hill area on June 24.
PC Paul Kindon, a police search adviser, reviewed his colleagues’ efforts and told Keaton’s inquest at Sunderland Civic Centre he would not havemadedifferentdecisions, with more resources put into the search than similar cases.
Assistant coroner Karin Welsh noted two reviews shouldhavebeencompletedby theunitandcouldhavehelped communication with Ms Talbot. However, she said she found they would not have made a difference to the outcome.
Ms Welsh concluded a suicide verdict and said: “Can I make it clear that I do not believe this could not have been foreseen by anyone involved with Keaton in the couple of days leading up to his death, and I include both professionals involved in his care and his family and Jessica.”
ShetoldMsTalbot:“Youdid your best for him, encouraged him and I have nothing but admiration for you at that time.”
A legal representative for Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear Trust, offered assurances calls for better communication would be acted on.