Child denied treatment lashes out, now he needs YOUR help!
Child denied treatment lashes out, now he needs YOUR help!
Why this petition matters
Sammy is a 17-year-old from Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Sammy is currently being held in a juvenile detention center facing second degree attempted murder charges. In February, this 4.0 student attempted suicide after a church event. Following his attempt he received very little mental health support, education or treatment. Sammy is accused of stabbing his father who is currently in the hospital and expected to survive. This situation is the direct result of an altercation during which Sammy’s father prevented him and his younger sister from fleeing to their stepmother’s home. There is a long history of abuse at home for Sammy, including rampant homophobia, which we believe to be the main reason that his stepmother left his father a month ago. Sammy has endured years of religious, mental, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his father. We truly believe he is in urgent need of mental health support and treatment!
An abuse victim in need of mental health treatment should not be remanded in juvenile detention where the help needed is unavailable. Sammy deserves to be held at a mental health facility, not a detention center. Please sign and support Sammy getting the proper health and treatment he needs for rehabilitation. This is a 17 year old with his entire life ahead of him!
Decision Makers
- Honorable Judge Sharon Marchman
- Ouachita Parish District Attorney