HOUSTON – The teen at the center of one of the biggest scandals to rock the Houston Police Department has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment of undisclosed mental health issues, according to community activist Quanell X.
"He's now been admitted to get mental health counseling and treatment into a psychiatric facility," said Quanell.
Quanell said he helped Chad Holley get admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the Houston area late Tuesday evening.
Quanell provided the name of the facility to Local 2 Investigates to verify Holley's admission, but asked KPRC not to disclose the name of the facility for privacy reasons.
"He's not going home during the day, he's not hanging out with friends during the evening time," said Quanell.
"He's in a 24-hour a day, seven-day facility," Quanell said. Holley could be in this facility for up to 65 days depending on the diagnosis given by doctors and recommended treatment.
Quanell said it was not until after Holley's second arrest on burglary charges that he learned the 18-year-old had been prescribed "psychotropic medication."
Quanell said he also learned Holley had not been taking his medication.
"Had we known, in the activist community, what was really happening with Chad Holley we would have stepped in a long time ago," said Quanell, who added he still does not know exactly why Holley was prescribed medication.
"This will give him a clear cut diagnosis and to see at what stage his mental health issues are at this period," said Quanell.
Holley's name became known internationally in 2010 when a video surfaced showing what many characterize as a "beating" at the hands of several Houston police officers.
At that time, Holley was arrested and eventually convicted of burglary. However, many thought after that conviction Holley had turned his life around.
Earlier this month Holley and three other men were arrested and charged with burglarizing a house. Holley's arrest came weeks after his high school graduation.
The case against Holley and the other men is still pending trial. "What he did the second time around was a slap in the face to many of us," said Quanell. "He let the entire community down. He let the activist community down. He let the city down. He let those who prayed for him down."
Despite those harsh words, Quanell said he still believes Holley needs help and psychiatric treatment to get his life back on track.
Several Houston police officers were disciplined and fired over the 2010 incident.
Former police officer Andrew Blomberg was found not guilty last month of charges of official oppression.
Three other former police officer are still awaiting trial.