Answers! Teacher Was Not Given Mental Exam Because of Sci Fi Novels

Here is an important update in the
story of
Patrick McLaw, the Maryland teacher who was the subject of a
very strange investigation last week. Local reporting claimed that
McLaw was suspended from his job and forced to undergo a mental
evaluation, all because he wrote novels about a fictional mass
shooting set 900 years in the future.

That report left out key details, according to a source who is
knowledgeable about the situation. McLaw’s novels were not the
initial or prime factor that led to his suspension. Rather, McLaw
submitted a letter to officials at the Dorchester County school
district where he worked that raised concerns about his mental
health. Wicomico County health department personnel then stepped
in.

Officials have several other concerns about McLaw, apart from
his letter. He was formerly accused of harassment, and may face
charges for a separate allegation of wrongdoing. Privacy laws are
keeping everyone vague about the details, since nothing is official
yet.

The Los Angeles Times
corroborates:

Concerns about McLaw were raised after he sent a four-page
letter to officials in Dorchester County. Those concerns brought
together authorities from multiple jurisdictions, including health
authorities.

McLaw’s attorney, David Moore, tells The Times that his client
was taken in for a mental health evaluation. “He is receiving
treatment,” Moore said.

Because of HIPPA regulations mandating privacy around healthcare
issues, he was unable to say whether McLaw has been released.

McLaw’s letter was of primary concern to healthcare officials,
[Wiccomico County Attorney Matt] Maciarello says. It, combined with
complaints of alleged harassment and an alleged possible crime from
various jurisdictions led to his suspension. Maciarello cautions
that these allegations are still being investigated; authorities,
he says, “proceeded with great restraint.”

I spoke with Maciarello as well, and he told me that McLaw isn’t
charged with a crime right now and he’s not under arrest.

“There were many circumstances that led law enforcement to come
together wholly unrelated to the books,” said Maciarello. “He was
not under the radar initially because he wrote books.”

Again, the specifics are being kept out of the media for now.
But based on what I’ve learned, it looks like
this local reporter—who identified McLaw’s books as the reason
for his arrest—jumped the gun, not the police.

Expect to hear more as the details become public.