Norman City Councilmember Raises Concerns Following Arrest, Death Of Well-Known Baker

Body camera video of the arrest of a well-known baker, who later died in the Cleveland County Detention Center, is shedding light on what state Shannon Hanchett was in leading up to her death.  

A Norman City councilmember now has a call to action following the arrest report and footage of the arrest.  

Ward 1 Councilmember Brandi Studley read part of the arrest report out loud during their meeting. 

“It reads as follows, ‘I responded to the above address to contact the defendant at the request of an employee of the store. Upon arrival I contacted the defendant who was exhibiting behavior that was consistent with some type of mental health disorder,’” Studley said.  

She said at that point, a mental health professional should have been called to de-escalate the situation.  

“Instead, she was arrested, taken to jail and subsequently died 12 days later while in custody at the Cleveland County Detention Center in Norman,” Studley said. 

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse said there were mental health beds available that night and the 12 days leading up to her death. 

Studley pointed out that the city has allocated thousands of dollars for a mobile crisis response unit and implementing the 988 hotline.  

“Clearly all of this hasn't been enough, and our system and city policies have once again failed us,” she said.  

She's making a request to add an item to the agenda of their next council meeting on Jan. 10.

“I am requesting on our next city council meeting on January 10th adding to the agenda so we can vote on the formation and funding of a mobile crisis response unit and have a study session before the meeting discussing everything that this city has learned and talked about in study sessions prior to this,”Studley said. 

In a statement Norman Police said, “At the time of her arrest she did not meet criteria under state law for an involuntary protective custody detention.” 

Studley would also like to look at how NPD handles these calls. 

“What is their policy is on mental health calls as well as what policy changes were made or need to be made to meet the request of our residents and former and current city council,” Studley said. 

News 9 has reached out to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office to see if Hatchett was ever evaluated in custody and is waiting on their response.