Michelle DeVitt, the mother of Dekarlos Brown, believes her son should not have been released from prison prior to the alleged murder of Irina Zarutskaya. DeVitt expressed her concerns to reporters, highlighting that Brown’s mental health was deteriorating and he was becoming increasingly aggressive.
Just days before the tragic incident, DeVitt stated she had taken her son to a homeless shelter in hopes of finding him support. She firmly rejected claims that Brown attacked Zarutskaya due to her skin color, asserting that he is not a racist. "He was struggling, not violent," she said.
DeVitt lamented the difficulties of accessing mental health care, noting that psychiatric hospitals often have no available spots and that involuntary hospitalization requires a court order, making it nearly impossible for families in crisis to get timely help.
This situation raises critical questions about mental health resources and the legal system"s role in preventing tragedies like this. As communities grapple with similar situations, the need for accessible mental health care becomes increasingly urgent. For more on related coverage, see recent developments in public safety issues.
