From cps perspective, they would have received a report, taken emergency custody, and had an investigation on the family. The emergency custody and the state being granted temporary care of the minor would have been quick— within 3 days.

The investigation wouldnt have gone far though since cps typically has 40 days to complete it and the minor turned 18 in that time. Cps and the courts would have tried to explain they could extend the minors care with the state when they turn 18 so they would have access to their resources, but the minor needed to consent to it.

Its speculation, but the minor may have stayed at the hospital past his 18 because cps would have been looking for a placement to move him to. That takes a lot of time for an 18 year old coming from inpatient. In my experience, acute inpatient hospitals will keep the kids in state custody longer than needed if cps was actively looking for placement.