A lawsuit filed by Sierra Hass alleges that her brother, Kenneth Hass, 25, was subjected to "extreme neglect and abuse" and died of water intoxication after more than three years as a patient at Oregon State Hospital (OSH).

Hass had been at the facility since 2022, when a court found him unfit to stand trial on charges of assaulting a police officer and criminal trespassing. His initial diagnosis was "unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder." According to the lawsuit, he never received a more thorough diagnosis, leading to staff cycling through various medications to a "dangerous degree."

The lawsuit claims Hass was kept in conditions "functionally identical to solitary confinement in a prison." He allegedly spent the last 250 days of his life in seclusion and was tied to his bed for approximately 500 hours. His room was described as "smeared with feces and pooled in urine and trash."

Staff reportedly concluded that Hass was untreatable and kept him heavily medicated and isolated, with family visits restricted. The lawsuit states that during his final hours, staff allowed him to engage in "dangerous, life-threatening behavior" without intervention, despite repeated requests from staff.

Hass had a condition that caused him to compulsively drink large amounts of water. On the day of his death in March 2025, the lawsuit alleges that staff left his restroom unlocked and unsupervised. He reportedly drank more than five-and-a-half gallons of water from the toilet. The suit accuses staff of failing to act as Hass began to choke and convulse. He was pronounced dead 47 minutes later.

"As a result of the lengthy mistreatment, failed care and deliberately indifferent care which arise nearly to a criminal level, Mr. Hass died violently and needlessly," the lawsuit states.

The federal lawsuit seeks at least $225,000 in damages, a legal order acknowledging long-term care failures at the hospital, and a review of hospital policies. Sierra Hass described her brother as a "greatest protector and friend" who deserved respect and dignity. She hopes the lawsuit will bring justice and lead to improved treatment for current patients at OSH.

A spokesperson for the Oregon Health Authority and the state hospital stated that they do not comment on active litigation.