Morgan Geyser, the Wisconsin woman who, at age 12, stabbed a sixth-grade classmate nearly to death to please the online horror character Slender Man, has been denied early release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The now 21-year-old Geyser had requested to be released with conditions, but Waukesha County Judge Michael Bohren determined that there was a significant risk that she could harm herself or others. The decision came after two days of testimony, with two doctors providing conflicting opinions on whether Geyser should be released.

Geyser and Anissa Weier were both 12 years old in 2014 when they lured Payton Leutner to a Waukesha park after a sleepover. Geyser repeatedly stabbed Leutner while Weier egged her on, resulting in 19 stab wounds. The girls confessed to carrying out the attack to appease Slender Man, a fictional online horror character, out of fear that he would harm their families. Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was sent to the psychiatric institute due to mental illness.

Despite improvements in her condition and being off antipsychotic medications since 2022, Geyser has been deemed not ready for release by Judge Bohren. One psychologist testified that Geyser claimed she had been faking psychotic symptoms, raising concerns about her insight into her mental health condition and potential risks if discharged. Another psychologist acknowledged Geyser's progress but agreed that she could still pose a risk to the public.

Geyser's attorney, Tony Cotton, expressed disappointment with the decision but noted that she can file another petition for release in six months. The case has garnered national attention for its shocking nature and the young age at which the crime was committed. Anissa Weier, Geyser's accomplice, was granted a release in 2021 under strict conditions after almost four years in a mental institution. The decision on Geyser's release will continue to be a topic of interest as the case progresses.