Arizona family sues hospital after son's death following 'Uber' discharge

Lawsuit alleges Abrazo Health Arrowhead staff put critically ill man in Uber and dropped him off at homeless shelter, leading to his death

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The family of Kaelen Lachica, a 27-year-old man who suffered from anorexia, is suing Abrazo Health Arrowhead hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, alleging that staff wrongfully discharged Kaelen and put him in an Uber to a homeless shelter, where he later died. The lawsuit claims the hospital displayed a 'conscious disregard' for Kaelen's safety and well-being.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about patient discharge protocols at hospitals and the potential consequences when critically ill patients are improperly released or abandoned. It raises questions about the duty of care hospitals have for vulnerable patients and whether Uber or other rideshare services should be used to transport unstable patients.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Kaelen Lachica was hospitalized at Abrazo Health Arrowhead after suffering a possible stroke and losing weight due to his long-term battle with anorexia. Days before his discharge, his health had declined to the point he was 'delusional' and 'immobile.' On August 13, 2025, Kaelen lashed out at a nurse and asked to leave the hospital 'against medical advice.' The lawsuit alleges the hospital then put Kaelen in a wheelchair, placed him in an Uber that the hospital paid for, and had him dropped off at a homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix, even though his address was easily accessible in his medical records.

  • On August 13, 2025, Kaelen lashed out at a nurse and asked to leave the hospital 'against medical advice.'

The players

Kaelen Lachica

A 27-year-old man who suffered from anorexia for nearly a decade, but whose condition had improved in the year preceding his hospitalization in August 2025.

Seth and Gayle Lachica

The parents of Kaelen Lachica, who are suing Abrazo Health Arrowhead hospital over their son's death.

Abrazo Health Arrowhead

The hospital in Phoenix, Arizona that is being sued by the Lachica family over the alleged wrongful discharge and death of their son, Kaelen.

Richard Lyons

The attorney representing the Lachica family in the lawsuit against Abrazo Health Arrowhead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What they did is abandonment. I mean, they absolutely killed my son.”

— Seth Lachica, Kaelen Lachica's father (Fox News Digital)

“I told them not to release him. They f—— Ubered him here. They Ubered him here this morning and just f—— dropped him off to die.”

— Seth Lachica, Kaelen Lachica's father (Arizona's Family (3TV / CBS 5)

“One would not expect a bouncer at a bar to dump an incapacitated patron onto a hot Phoenix sidewalk in the middle of August — let alone the staff at a hospital. Yet that is exactly what the Abrazo staff did to Kaelen. This conduct goes beyond mere negligence, or medical malpractice — their decision to have their very sick young patient dumped onto the sidewalk — in Phoenix, in August — directly caused Kaelen's death.”

— Richard Lyons, Attorney for the Lachica family (Lawsuit)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed against Abrazo Health Arrowhead.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for hospitals to have robust patient discharge protocols in place to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable patients, especially those with serious medical conditions. It raises questions about the use of rideshare services to transport unstable patients and the duty of care hospitals have for their patients.