Robert QT Bettis has filed a compelling lawsuit against Lake Shore Behavioral Health Center, alleging serious violations of his constitutional rights during his confinement at the facility. The complaint was lodged on April 2, 2025, in the Northern District of Illinois' Eastern Division court, targeting Lake Shore Behavioral Health Center and several unnamed staff members.
The plaintiff, Robert QT Bettis, claims that while he was a minor under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), he was unlawfully confined at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital for over six months starting March 7, 2013. Bettis alleges that this confinement involved forced medication and excessive restraint without due process. He asserts that these actions violated his rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Bettis describes how he was subjected to high doses of psychotropic medications such as Haloperidol and Thorazine, which led to severe memory lapses. Additionally, he recounts being forcibly restrained by staff members for injections administered without consent or explanation. These acts are described as battery under common law and unreasonable seizure under constitutional law.
Bettis seeks substantial relief from the court, including compensatory damages exceeding $500,000 for physical and emotional injuries sustained due to these alleged unlawful acts. He also demands punitive damages against individual defendants for their reckless disregard of his rights. Furthermore, Bettis requests injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences of similar unconstitutional practices at Lake Shore Behavioral Health Center. He emphasizes the need for policy changes and training to safeguard minors from involuntary confinement and forced medication without procedural safeguards.
Representing himself pro se in this case is Robert QT Bettis. The presiding judges are Judge Joan H. Lefkow and Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling in case number 1:25-cv-03583.