General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Attacked By Neighbor of 20 Years [View all]rustysgurl
(1,041 posts)Reading all your kind words and advice helped so much in processing what happened. I am much calmer now, and able to think more clearly. Thank you again -- DU is just the greatest place.
I just got back from the DA's office. The ADA told me what happened after the police took my neighbor away, and we discussed how things would happen going forward.
The police initially took her to the hospital to get checked out (re: the head banging). She was released from the ER and taken to jail. The police DID go search her home, and according to the report, found 2 loaded handguns and an unloaded rifle, along with ammunition. I have to say I almost got sick when I heard that.
Based on her age and condition (and probably because of COVID), they moved pretty quickly, filing preliminary charges, including multiple assault charges as well as resisting arrest. They held an emergency hearing via video, at which time she was arraigned. According to the ADA the judge wasn't too keen on her staying in jail, so bond was set and she was eventually released in the custody of her son. The judge ordered that she not be returned to her home, and that the son make provisions for her care (to be approved by the judge at the next hearing). A complete mental health workup was also ordered, and the Court is contacting her current health care providers as well. The ADA said she was going to ask the Court to appoint an ad litem for her, in addition to any public defender or attorney her son hires to defend her. There were some other provisions but I can't remember them right now.
I am going through with pressing charges (as is my neighbor) if for no other reason than that this woman's plight comes to the attention of the authorities and she can get the help she needs. I don't know the chain of events that caused her to act the way she did, but the death of her husband (which was somewhat unexpected as he died during a routine surgery), losing her home and possible exposure to the far right's venom obviously unhinged her. I told the ADA that I did not think it would serve any useful purpose to ask for a jail sentence. She agreed, and shared with me that the woman has no prior criminal history, so she would probably get probation from the judge anyway. So, hopefully, the son will get his mother the evaluation and the help she needs. Better minds than mine can hopefully assess her situation (including any attempts by her son to take her home, control her assets, etc.) and make the best call for her. I told the ADA about my phone conversation with the son, and that it did appear that he was trying to "take control" of his mother's life. Now whether that's because she's been losing her grip on sanity and he's trying to protect her, or the fact that he's moving in has caused her to lose her grip on sanity, I have no idea. Like others have said, her going into an assisted living facility where she is around other vulnerable people, would not be an appropriate placement. That would open up any facility to a boatload of liability should she "go off" again.
Bottom line, she's "on the radar" now, so hopefully she will get the help she needs and won't be a danger to herself or others in the future.
The neighbor who called 911 got some homemade pumpkin bread and my everlasting thanks. He and another neighbor came over while I was gone and raked and bagged the leaves. Did I mention that, for the most part, I have wonderful neighbors?
So, all is well, and things are quiet on our little street now.
Thank you again, DUers ... you're the best!