Free Shannon Callahan

July 3, 2024 Update

Shannon was so grateful for all the support at her hearing. Shannon is so beaten down, traumatized, and exhausted that she just wants all of this to be over. Her court-appointed lawyer took advantage of this and coerced Shannon into agreeing to the commitment. The lawyer told her it was a waste of time to request a second examiner, and that she would be committed anyway. Shannon told him she wanted her son and an advocate to testify on her behalf, but her lawyer told her he decided who would testify. So neither her son nor the advocate was allowed to testify.

Additionally, the court-appointed psychologist made mistakes in his narrative surrounding Shannon, but her lawyer did not challenge the narrative. The psychologist said Shannon was dirty and disheveled when she went to the ER for severe ankle pain and an adverse reaction to medication. Her son, who was prevented from testifying, could have clarified that this was NOT dirty or disheveled Shannon took a shower that morning before going to the ER. She had been staying with her son – ironically, to be closer to the hospital in case she needed to go in for help. Shannon is a meticulous when it comes to cleanliness and would not go to the hospital dirty. Shannon was also really bothered by this statement.

Shannon does NOT meet commitment criteria in the state of MN, but her lawyer provided no defense. She is not delusion; she is not suicidal; she has no history of violence; she has been voluntarily taking the medication; and he is not a threat or danger to herself or others. She lives independently and has the resources to care for herself independently, and she has strong community support.

To make matters even worse, this whole commitment process is triggering Shannon’s PTSD and causing her more trauma. She was sexually abused as a child by her uncle, who would lock her in a closet. Being in a locked facility, without any power to protect herself, her voice silenced by those who are supposed to help her, makes her feel like that little girl locked in a closet again. This civil commitment has taken more of Shannon’s autonomy and agency, reinforcing old trauma and adding to it.

Shannon will now be sent to a Community Behavioral Health Hospital in Alexandria, MN, which is known for its cruel and harmful treatment.

We cannot let this stop us from stepping up to help Shannon and others like her. Thank you for showing up for her. We will continue to stay in touch with Shannon and keep you updated.

Psychiatric Imprisonment Hearing
Rescheduled to July 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM Central Time

6/30/25.  Shannon is extremely grateful to everyone who showed up at last Tuesday’s hearing. The county wasn’t ready, though, and the hearing was rescheduled for tomorrow July 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM.  They shouldn’t be allowed to keep Shannon locked up when they aren’t prepared, but her lawyer did not even object.  We were not able to obtain the login information for the rescheduled hearing until now and it turns out it is the same.   

https://zoomgov.com/join
Meeting ID: 161 236 7491
Passcode: 223830

Shannon will appreciate support by people joining the Zoom hearing.  Shannon is allowed to have people attend, but her lawyer may refuse to request that people be let in.  Even if you aren’t let in, it will be good to show that people are interested in what is being done to her.  Also, with court hearings, there is always the chance that it will be postponed.

6/28/25.  The County was not prepared for the hearing and it has been rescheduled for July 1, 2025 at 2 pm CT. We are trying to get the login information and will post it as soon as we do.

6/23/25.  We apologize for the short notice, but Minnesota resident Shannon Callahan is being railroaded into civil commitment at a hearing to be held tomorrow, June 24th at 9:00 AM Central Time.  She will appreciate support by people joining the Zoom hearing.

https://zoomgov.com/join
Meeting ID: 161 236 7491
Passcode: 223830

She is allowed to have people attend, but her lawyer may refuse to request that people be let in.  Even if you aren’t let in, it will be good to show that people are interested in what is being done to her.  Also, with court hearings, there is always the chance that it will be postponed.

Shannon went to an ER due to ankle pain and having an adverse reaction to medications she was taking. When Shannon tried communicating with the ER nurse about why she was there, the nurse became rude and confrontational, causing Shannon to ask for a different nurse.  The nurse refused, placed Shannon on an involuntary hold and sent from Minnesota to a North Dakota hospital because North Dakota does not require a court order for forced drugging, which is required in Minnesota.

Shannon has voluntarily taken medication and states she will continue doing so. She is not suicidal, violent, or a threat to others. She is now facing the hearing for longer term psychiatric imprisonment, euphemistically called civil commitment.

Shannon was previously committed in 2023 in a case that was full of errors and incorrect information. Unfortunately, her court-appointed attorney is the same attorney who represented her in the 2023 commitment. Shannon’s advocates have tried speaking with Shannon’s court-appointed attorney, who has been rude and arrogant. Shannon said he has been rude and arrogant when she has tried talking with him as well. We have no confidence that he will be a “vigorous advocate” for Shannon as is his professional responsibility.

If you can, please show your support for Shannon by signing into the Zoom hearing with the login information above.

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