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Fort Lauderdale therapist accused of attacking wife [Sun Sentinel :: ](South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 16--The owner of a prominent Fort Lauderdale-based rehabilitation and addiction treatment center was charged with simple battery after police said he shoved his wife. Boca Raton police arrested Christopher Walsh, 43, early Tuesday after they were called to Walsh's Boca Raton home for a domestic disturbance, according to an arrest report. Walsh and his wife, Karen Corcoran Walsh, are the owners of Inspirations for Youth and Families, an addiction treatment and mental health rehabilitation center for teenagers and families that has been featured on the "Dr. Phil Show." Police said Walsh attacked his wife just after 11 p.m. Monday after coming home from a night of drinking and gambling. A family friend, James Hughes, who is also the CEO of the Walsh's business, told police he drove Christopher Walsh home from the Seminole Casino earlier that night, according to the report. When reached by phone on Tuesday, Karen Walsh said she and Hughes called for police to Baker Act Christopher Walsh, which under state law involuntarily institutionalizes a person. She said her husband came home with Hughes and shortly afterward, he shoved her. She said they called police asking that the Baker Act be used against Christopher Walsh but police ignored them. Boca Raton police spokeswoman Sandra Boonenberg said there is no mention in any of the arresting documents that indicated anyone asked for or mentioned the Baker Act during the incident. Karen Walsh said her husband struggles with mental illness and that they have been trying to find the right treatment for him. She said her husband was recently released from a rehab facility and has not been involved in the day-to-day operations of their business while he seeks treatment. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said Christopher Walsh was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Tuesday. "Unfortunately in this business ... you're going to find [workers] who are struggling themselves," Karen Walsh said. [email protected], 561-243-6547 or Twitter @katejacobson ___ (c)2014 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |