Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services Division takes blame for failure to notify officials about release of Greenfield man charged with murder

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After weeks of back and forth between several state agencies, we now know who is taking responsibility for the lack of required notice after a Greenfield man charged with homicide was found back in the community.

On Thursday, June 26, a Milwaukee County spokesperson confirmed the county's Behavioral Health Services Division was raising its hand to own up to the blame.

“Any case specific information around people served by Milwaukee County is protected health information that legally can’t be publicly disclosed. While Chapter 51 commitments and how those cases are processed in Wisconsin may be complicated, Milwaukee County BHS is confident that its system of care operates within its legal responsibilities," a statement obtained by CBS 58 said. "Moving forward, BHS will work closely with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office to confirm we are operating in compliance with State law, to ensure these notifications are made in the future, and that there is no future breakdown in communication.” 

It's been nearly two weeks since Greenfield police responded to a mental health call where they found 24-year-old Amando Lang, who in 2019, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide but found mentally incompetent.

Court records show Lang was sent to the Mendota Mental Health Institute where officials believed he was for years.

According to Wisconsin's Department of Health Services, when patients are released, notifications get sent out -- but neither Greenfield's police, mayor, nor the district attorney's office said they received one.

“Could this be the only case? I don’t know, and I do want to find out if there were other cases like this," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Kathleen Vincent. “I think there needs to be shoring up of how this matter was handled.”

Vincent confirmed she requested an audit of the division, noting she wants to look specifically at its policies and procedures.

“I’m very appreciative that they’re taking ownership and that they’ll take steps to make sure that something like this never happens again," Vincent said. “But when there are errors made, especially things like putting someone onto the streets or back in the community who has murdered someone, I think there needs to be answers and there needs to be steps taken and followed and so policies and procedures are really important to me in all of this.”

On Monday, June 23, a judge ruled Lang must undergo another competency exam on July 7.

If he is found competent, the district attorney's office said they will pursue criminal charges.