The Dallas County district attorney, who has been out of the office since late July to seek treatment for depression, is extending her leave two more weeks.
Susan Hawk plans to return to work on Oct. 2.
Hawk announced late last month she was taking four unpaid weeks off. That came after a three-week absence for what she called a “serious episode of depression.”
The Dallas Morning News obtained an email that Hawk sent to her staff Monday:
“I want you to know that I am healthy, and I have a plan to stay that way,” Hawk wrote. “I will be returning to the office on Friday, October 2. I look forward to being back and thanking each of you in person. And, I look forward to continuing to serve our communities while we continue to make our office the most respected DA’s office in the nation.”
Before she announced last month that she was taking time off, Hawk’s absence had created numerous questions about her job performance and how she manages her office.
A spokeswoman said she was being treated at a facility outside of the Dallas area. The acknowledgement that she was suffering from "serious depression" capped weeks of courthouse speculation and a media frenzy about her status. WFAA was originally told that she was away on summer break beginning Aug. 3. News 8 has since confirmed that her last day in the office was actually July 28.
Hawk has previously acknowledged getting a doctor's help in weaning herself from medication for back pain in 2013. Hawk took office in January.
