Police misidentify 11-year-old girl as adult mental health patient

Tuesday 25 March 2025 · 6 outlets · 5 reports · updated Tue 25 Mar 2025, 10:09am

In this story Health New Zealand, Waikato Police

An 11-year-old girl was handcuffed and taken to a Waikato mental health facility after being mistaken for a woman in her 20s. Following the incident on 9 March, Health NZ apologised and launched an investigation. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the event as incredibly distressing.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldTue 25 Mar 2025, 5:00am

   11yo girl misidentified by police handcuffed, injected with antipsychotic drugs at Waikato mental health facility (opens in new tab)

2. Waikato Times via StuffTue 25 Mar 2025, 7:59am

   11-year-old girl handcuffed after being misidentified as missing mental health patient in early 20s (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesTue 25 Mar 2025, 8:59am

   11-year-old mistaken for adult patient, taken to mental health facility (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 25 Mar 2025, 9:00am

   11-year-old girl put in mental health facility after being mistaken for a 20-year-old (opens in new tab)

5. 1NewsTue 25 Mar 2025, 10:09am

   PM says girl being mistaken for adult, handcuffed 'incredibly distressing' (opens in new tab)