Former L-Way Teacher in Threat Case Taken Back to Mental Hospital

Department of Human Services workers grabbed a former Lincoln-Way teacher in the courthouse basement before he could go to a Friday morning hearing, his attorney said.

"DHS took him into custody this morning," attorney Alexander Beck said of Ryan Gardner.

"They took him from the building this morning, this building," Beck told Will County Judge Edward Burmila.

Gardner, 41, had been in custody at the county jail before DHS took him away.

Gardner allegedly made a Dec. 6 telephone call to Lincoln-Way School District Deputy Superintendent Thomas Eddy. About a week after the call to Eddy, authorities in the Danville area—where Gardner is originally from and where he was living in December—learned of Gardner threatening to "shoot and kill" officials from the Lincoln-Way School District, a law enforcement official said.

Authorities also reportedly learned Gardner was talking about trying to get his hands on a gun and that he told at least one person in the Danville area that he was given permission by a minister to kill someone.

In August, Judge Burmila found Gardner not guilty of the charges by reason of insanity. Gardner has been waiting to be taken to a mental hospital since Burmila handed down his verdict.

Gardner was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a prior harassment case and was convicted of telephone harassment on another occasion.

The day before Gardner was taken away, a New Lenox man petitioned for and received an order of protection against Gardner.

The man, Jay Hollingsworth, said in the petition that he was told by someone in the state's attorney's office that Gardner was to be released from a mental hospital. Hollingsworth also said he feared that a freed Gardner would harm him and his family.

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