Judge orders special‑needs safety placement, extends Michelle LaChasse’s probation by two years

The court ordered that Michelle LaChasse be placed in the special‑needs Safety program and extended her deferred probation by two years, after hearing defense counsel and probation officers about recent medication changes and treatment needs.

Defense counsel explained LaChasse experienced a major medication change — removal of Seroquel and initiation of Prozac — and said the change precipitated behavioral problems. Counsel presented letters and documentation indicating Baptist Hospital would accept LaChasse for inpatient treatment for up to 30 days followed by outpatient care; counsel asked the court to hold the previously ordered safety placement in abeyance while LaChasse completed inpatient treatment. A family member and the defendant’s fiancé were present and noted insurance coverage was available.

Probation and the prosecutor expressed concern that LaChasse had previously left recommended inpatient programs and that safety placement had been ordered earlier in her supervision. The judge said the special‑needs Safety program is intended to treat combined issues and ordered that LaChasse be placed there rather than the regular program. The judge also extended her probation by two years to allow time for treatment and aftercare and noted the decision was made in light of the administrative hearing and the history of supervision.

The judge instructed counsel to provide documentation of any inpatient care and directed probation to furnish updated reports; no change to the existing order will be made without further court review after treatment records are provided.