Our study of Minnesota child fatalities documented seven children who were killed by a mother who had chronic mental health crises, including repeated psychiatric hospitalizations.
Six-year old Eli Hart’s mother killed him with nine shotgun blasts shortly after he was returned home, and a few months after she was released from her second psychiatric inpatient stay. If the mental health facilities and child protection were in touch about the reunification it is not reflected in the court records. Additionally, role conflicts between Family and Juvenile Courts delayed hearings that would likely have given custody to Eli’s father.
Mental health providers, child protection agencies, and district courts should develop communication protocols so children aren’t reunified with parents who have serious mental health diagnoses without a solid safety plan and careful monitoring by mental health professionals, and those communications should be documented.
Join us for a full discussion and analysis in this week’s podcast, here or wherever you hear your favorite podcast shows.
Read the full transcript here.