Is the mental health facility really at fault in the death of Kristoff St. John's son?
The Long Beach, Calif. psychiatric health facility that was named in a lawsuit filed by Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John and his ex-wife Mia is speaking out against claims that they were negligent in the death of the former couple's son Julian.
Julian, who had been suffering from schizophrenia for years, took his own life on Nov. 23.
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The lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that nurses and staff members at La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center regularly skipped mandatory check-ins and observations of Julian, and that employees falsified documents in order to cover up the claimed neglect -- including allegedly fraudulently writing numerous reports on the day he died to make it appear they had been checking in on him more than they actually were.
"The staff and management of La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center want to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Julian St. John following his tragic suicide in November 2014," the mental facility said in a statement issued Wednesday to ET. "La Casa has not been served with the lawsuit by the St. John family. We believe it is important to state that the California Department of Health Care Services reviewed the case and on May 5, 2015 found that La Casa was in compliance with all applicable licensing laws and regulations.
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"Similarly, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health concluded that Mr. St. John's treatment and care at La Casa was reasonable and in line with clinical procedures, given his mental condition.
"For over 30 years our staff has provided excellent, compassionate care to those suffering from mental illness in the Los Angeles area, and we are proud of the dedication and hard work of our team of professional care-givers. We agree with the public comments of the family of Mr. St. John that the nation would be better served by focusing more attention on the issues affecting the mentally ill."
After filing the lawsuit, Kristoff and Mia spoke exclusively to ET's Kevin Frazier.
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"He attempted suicide two and a half weeks prior to when he actually completed it," Mia said, "and he was supposed to be on suicide watch."
"My son died because there are millions of people suffering from the mental disabilities of schizophrenia, bipolar, and being depressed," Kristoff said. "And so at the end of the day his life will not be in vain. His life will be vindicated, and I will campaign until the day that I die to bring justice to my son."