Department of Mental Hygiene v. Black

The Department of Mental Hygiene instituted this action to recover from the estate of the mother of a mentally ill person the cost of the latter’s support in a state hospital. Judgment was given the department as prayed for, and defendant appeals.

The material facts are undisputed. From September 11, 1944, to May 6, 1958, the daughter was a resident patient at Camarillo State Hospital; released on the last mentioned date, she was recommitted on October 29, 1959. Celia Black, the incompetent’s mother, died on August 16, 1959. From her estate there is available for distribution to her three…