DANIA BEACH, FL— In a story so Florida it practically comes with a side of gator bites, a local woman claims she was Baker Acted (aka involuntarily committed) for nearly two weeks—all because she showed up to what she thought was a totally normal landscaping client meeting.
Spoiler alert: It was not.
The Setup: “Hey Girl, Wanna Talk About Some Hedges?”
Demoree Hadley, a business owner, thought she was heading to a legit appointment for her landscaping company. Instead, she walked into what sounds like the opening scene of a Law & Order: Florida Man episode.
Upon arrival, she was greeted by:
✔ A “doctor” she’d never met
✔ A “mobile crisis team” (who were actually private security guards)
✔ Cops who apparently took their investigative cues from a Magic 8-Ball
Demoree: “Something’s not right here.”
Florida: “Hold my energy drink.”
The Baker Act Shuffle
For those not familiar with Florida’s Baker Act, it’s a law that allows people to be involuntarily held for mental health evaluations if they’re deemed a danger to themselves or others. Key word: if.
Demoree insists she:
– Had no mental health history
– Wasn’t on drugs (hospital records confirmed this)
– Had never met the doctor who signed off on her “unspecified psychosis” diagnosis
Doctor Bober (allegedly): “I talked to your mom and aunt, and they said you threatened to overdose.”
Demoree: “My mom and I don’t even talk like that.”
Florida Logic: “Eh, close enough.”
The Ride of Shame
Deputies then told Demoree she had to get into a random gray pickup truck with strangers (because nothing says “mental health safety” like being forced into an unmarked vehicle).
Demoree: “Can’t I just ride with you guys?”
Deputy: “Nope. Also, you’ll be in handcuffs, and your dog can’t come.”
Demoree’s Dog: “Excuse me, what?”
Two Weeks of ‘Wait, What?’
Demoree was held for nearly two weeks—first under the Baker Act, then under the Marchman Act (Florida’s version for substance abuse, which also didn’t apply).
Hospital Records: “Diagnosis: Persistent depressive disorder.”
Demoree: “I was just depressed because y’all kidnapped me!”
The Lawsuit: ‘Florida, Explain Yourself’
Demoree is now suing, claiming this was all part of a family dispute gone rogue. Her mom denies it, but the lawsuit alleges:
– The “mobile crisis team” wasn’t even affiliated with a hospital
– The doctor never examined her before signing the Baker Act papers
– The whole thing was basically a Florida Man version of Taken
Her Lawyer: “I’ve practiced law for 20 years and never seen anything like this.”
Florida: “Hold my sunscreen.”
Meanwhile, the Security Company’s Defense:
“We were just there to help! Also, she had her phone the whole time, so it’s technically not kidnapping.”
Demoree: “Cool, so if I lock you in my trunk but let you keep your AirPods, we’re good?”
The Aftermath
BSO is now “reviewing” the incident (translation: “We might have messed up, but we’ll get back to you after happy hour.”)
Meanwhile, Demoree’s just out here trying to live her best life—hopefully without any more surprise involuntary vacations.
Moral of the Story? If a “landscaping client” in Florida sounds too eager to meet, maybe just… don’t.