Table of Contents
- What Happened in November 2025
- The 2014 Slender Man Attack
- Geyser’s Journey Through the Mental Health System
- Details of the Escape
- Legal Implications and What’s Next
What Happened in November 2025
On November 23, 2025, Morgan Geyser and Chad “Charly” Mecca were arrested at a truck stop in Illinois. Geyser had fled from the YoYo Quality Care group home in Madison, Wisconsin, the day before, removing her monitoring bracelet that had been issued by the Department of Corrections. This incident has reignited public interest in one of the most disturbing cases in Wisconsin history.
The 2014 Slender Man Attack: A Reminder
Nearly nine years before her escape, Morgan Geyser and her classmate Anissa Weier committed an act that shocked the nation. In 2014, both girls were just 12 years old when they attacked a classmate in the woods of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Their claimed motivation was to appease Slender Man, a fictional character from internet lore that had developed a cult-like following online.
The victim survived the attack, which captured headlines worldwide and sparked conversations about internet culture, mental health in children, and criminal responsibility.
Geyser’s Journey Through the Mental Health System
After the 2014 attack, Geyser pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted intentional homicide in 2018. She was initially sent to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she remained for several years.
In January 2025, a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge ordered the state Department of Health Services to develop a plan for Geyser’s supervised release. By March 2025, despite concerns from prosecutors, Geyser was transferred from the Winnebago Mental Health facility to a group home. The prosecutors had raised red flags about her behavior, including alleged “violent” communications with a man outside the facility and her reading of materials with “themes of sexual sadism and murder.”
The Escape: Why Did It Happen
According to statements made to Madison TV station WKOW, Mecca claimed the escape was intended to ensure Geyser’s safety. He indicated that his visitation privileges were about to be revoked, which prompted Geyser’s desire to leave the group home.
“I was scared and nervous and I had to stay with someone, who knew what was going to happen to her on her own,” Mecca reportedly told WKOW.
Mecca stated that he was unaware of the situation until after they had already fled together.
Legal Implications and What’s Next
Chad “Charly” Mecca, age 43, has been arrested and charged with aiding in Morgan Geyser’s escape. Mecca, described as a close associate of Geyser, now faces serious legal consequences for his involvement in her flight from the group home.
Geyser was originally sentenced to up to 40 years in a psychiatric institution after being found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Her release to supervised care in March 2025 was controversial, with prosecutors expressing concerns about her behavioral patterns and mental state.
This escape raises critical questions about the supervision protocols at group homes, the effectiveness of monitoring systems, and whether Geyser was truly ready for supervised release. The case continues to demonstrate the complexities of managing individuals with significant mental health histories within the criminal justice system.