Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk announced Tuesday she is taking a four-week, unpaid leave of absence as she battles a "serious episode of depression."
The announcement comes after Hawk had not been seen in her office for about three weeks with no official word on where she was or when she planned to return.
Hawk apologized that her absence "created this unnecessary distraction," and that while her intention was to return to work this week, the four-week leave of absence will allow her to "give this illness the professional attention it deserves."
NBC 5 reported Monday Hawk's mother said she was simply taking a break after working a lot.
"She's been working every weekend, working late every day," said Hawk's mother, Joanne McWithey. "She just needed time off."
First Assistant District Attorney Messina Madson is in charge of running the district attorney's office in Hawk's absence.
Hawk has previously acknowledged getting a doctor's help in weaning herself from medication for back pain in 2013. Also, she fired one top assistant and another resigned three months after she had taken office, citing a toxic atmosphere they say Hawk created in the district attorney's office.
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The district attorney's full statement follows:
Fin Statement From District Attorney Susan Hawk (Text)
