Patient dies at Austin psychiatric hospital with history of deficiencies

Shaman Perskin was found dead in his room at Cross Creek Hospital Together with Ascension Seton on July 3, 2025. A federal inspection report that month found three deficiencies in nursing services, supervision of nursing care and nursing care plan. Perskin’s death comes as Austin-area families face fewer inpatient mental health beds and limited choices during psychiatric crises. A Statesman review of federal inspection reports found Cross Creek has twice as many cited deficiencies and inspection reports as any other behavioral health hospital in Central Texas during the past decade. Criminal charges were recently filed against a staff member at the hospital for bodily injury of a child with intention to cause serious bodily injury. The hospital has not yet responded to a notice of intention to sue filed by Perskin's family.