FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Responds to Two-Week Delay on Release of Mentally Incompetent Offenders; County Pursues Additional Bed Placements
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement today in response to twelve criminal defendants who could soon return to local communities if the County is unable to provide sufficient state licensed-treatment beds. Each individual remains classified as permanently mentally incompetent after two years in a state hospital.
“I share the concerns of the victim families, District Attorney and Sheriff: No one wants to see dangerous individuals released into our communities. My office continues working closely with our Health Care Agency and the State to secure appropriate treatment beds and create a sustainable, long-term solution,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they share concerns about potential release. Ultimately, the state must step up and set up secure mental health treatment beds.”
The County Health Care Agency’s Public Guardian and Behavioral Health Services teams continue working to locate placements. In just the past six weeks, the County successfully placed 23 conservatees into appropriate treatment facilities. While the County of Orange continues its commitment to finding safe, appropriate placements, Vice Chair Foley emphasizes that state-licensed treatment capacity remains limited.
Each county has been assigned a cap on the number of beds that can be utilized, and the waiting list extends for years. Orange County also does not have a County Hospital, further complicating capacity challenges. Long-term solutions require action from State lawmakers.
This issue also involves complex state policies around conservatorship and mental health treatment. Creating a sustainable system requires collaboration at multiple levels of government.
A two-week continuance has been granted for the two cases initially scheduled for court today (November 7, 2025), allowing additional time for the County to continue pursuing safe and appropriate placement options at a local level.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2025 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Regional Transportation Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,
Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,
Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Corrections
Partnership (OCCCP), Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection Agency,
and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
