A teenage boy died after he was electrocuted in a Northern Territory remote community around six months after he was discharged from an inpatient mental health facility, the NT Coroner's Court has heard.
Reginald Roy, otherwise known as Reginald Yunupingu, died aged 17 in October 2020 in Minyerri, a community of about 600 people about 240 kilometres south-east of Katherine.
A coronial inquest into his death began at the Darwin Local Court today, to examine whether there was appropriate care and support provided to the teenager.
The coroner heard Reginald enjoyed climbing structures and died after climbing a power pole outside the Minyerri police station, touching a high-voltage wire, and falling to the ground.
There was no suggestion his death was suicide.
The coroner heard "Reggie", as he was referred to in court, was admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital's Youth Inpatient Program (YIP) in January 2020 "acting bizarrely and aggressively" and suffering from auditory hallucinations.
He remained in care until March 31, during which time the inquest heard he received "very good" care and was said to be "bright and cheerful" upon discharge.
The inquest heard the teenager was to receive monthly depot injections to treat his psychotic illness, but there was no record of him attending a clinic after April 16.
"We had discussions with him and his family, he did understand that taking medication was important for him," said child psychiatrist Nandini Das.
"He did seem to understand that was what he needed."
Reginald was discharged to the care of his grandmother and an aunt on March 31, 2020, after last-minute changes.
The inquest heard his mother wanted him discharged to her care to return to Ngukurr, while his father suggested he be cared for by family in Darwin.
The teenager ultimately moved into a two-bedroom home in Darwin with his grandmother, aunt, father, sister and two other people.
Top End Mental Health's Luke Butcher denied "pushing" Reginald's mum away, telling the coroner there were biosecurity zones in place which would have prevented travel to Ngukurr at the time.
The inquest heard within days, his aunt had called mental health services to say Reginald had been discharged to her without consultation and she couldn't look after him.
"She said [Reginald] was coming and going from her flat at all hours and leaving the door open," said counsel-assisting Kelvin Currie.
Psychiatrist Dr Das told the coroner she hadn't met Reginald's aunt, but that she understood he would be cared for by his grandmother as well.
She said his grandmother had been involved in discussions with clinicians before his discharge.
"Looking back, it probably would have been prudent to [meet the aunt] but at that point … we had no reasons to think [she couldn't care for Reginald]," said Dr Das.
The inquest heard Territory Families was also contacted and told there were "no safe persons in Darwin capable of caring" for Reginald, but the case had been "screened out".
"The assessment was services we would involve were already involved, with a view of [Reginald] going back to community," said Territory Families' Julianne Davis.
The inquest heard Reginald was referred to Headspace for outpatient mental health care and had exhibited "low-grade psychotic symptoms" since his discharge from YIP.
Headspace, which was not called to give oral evidence to the inquest, closed Reginald's file in April 2020, after it was decided the teenager would be returning to community.
The inquest heard Dr Das, upon the request of Headspace, referred Reginald to community clinics but there was nothing to indicate whether his case was discussed during regular meetings between Headspace and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health team.
Counsel-assisting said there was no record of him attending the health clinic after his return to community.
The inquest will continue tomorrow, with final submissions to be made to the coroner.
