On September 5th, 2019, I attended a sentencing hearing regarding the state sending my son away to the Arizona Department of Corrections for violations that could have been avoided if they simply would have enforced the mental health service my family and I begged them for. Even after turning a blind eye to the words Michael’s family shared regarding his Autism and Schizophrenia, they sent him away with no medication, no treatment and no plan for medical or mental health support.
I had promised Michael a hug before I left the courtroom, which I got permission to do. As Michael went to walk towards me for a hug, he was yanked away and hauled off to his solitary cell. As they are yanking him away, you can hear Michael say ” I Love you dad, I love you”. The last hug I got to give my son was his ashes in an urn which now sits on my desk.
Losing my father recently, this hurts to see. Loved my father so much. I am about his age. So sad all around. MH is an Epidemic.
Michael posed no threat in this situation and was shackled. This was cruel and unnecessary. Not even mentioning that the officer was 3 times michaels size. I would say that this angers me but even deeper than that this deeply hurts me to see. Michael as a human being had the right to hug you Paul. He was treated like an animal after having been neglected and vilified. Disgusting.