Ian Hartley, who had been suffering from depression for months, told his parents he planned to kill himself May 1, his mother, Julie Hartley, said. She and Ian's father James drove the 16-year-old to Community Mental Health in Lansing that night.
Julie Hartley said Ian told staff there he planned to kill himself, but a doctor informed the family CMH services aren't covered through private insurance and that they would need to pay out of pocket for treatment.
Julie said the doctor advised them that any emergency room would offer the same care and that care would be covered by their insurance. They took him to the closest emergency room at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, where he was released after a short visit, Julie Hartley said.
The next day, May 2, Ian jumped from the Otto Road bridge above Interstate-69 and later died at a local hospital.