Wheelchair-Bound Woman Locked Inside Atlanta Clinic

A distressing incident has come to light in Atlanta, where a woman reliant on a wheelchair alleges she was forgotten and locked inside a clinic after closing hours. Ankita Mackin, who has multiple sclerosis, found herself stranded on an exam table at the Hanger Clinic, unable to move without assistance.

A Night of Fear and Isolation

Mackin had visited the clinic for a brace-fitting appointment. Expecting staff to help arrange her transportation home after the appointment, she was left unattended. She reported seeing staff members walk past her room without checking on her before they eventually left the building, locking her inside. In her distress, Mackin had to risk further injury by crawling off the exam table to reach her phone charger.

Unable to get a response after yelling for help, and with 911 calls going unanswered, Mackin resorted to FaceTime her daughters. Her daughters arrived shortly after, followed by Atlanta police and medical personnel. The ordeal left Mackin traumatized and questioning the safety protocols at a place meant for care.

Questions of Negligence and Future Actions

Mackin and her family are now seeking answers from the Hanger Clinic regarding how such an oversight could occur. Her daughter questioned the building’s security procedures, asking who was responsible for checking each room before locking up. Mackin later sought medical attention at Grady Hospital for injuries sustained during her attempt to escape.

When approached for comment, the Atlanta clinic cited HIPAA laws, preventing them from discussing the specifics of Mackin’s case. It remains uncertain whether Mackin plans to pursue legal action against the clinic for the alleged negligence and the distress caused by the incident.