A Bronx mother who exhibited signs of mental illness and was living in a shelter tragically stabbed her two small children this past weekend. Instances of violence such as this have inspired Mayor Eric Adams to buckle down on how first responders handle unsheltered individuals and those in need of mental health care.
“This city must become a trauma identifier,” said Adams in a press conference on Nov 29. “There are things that are happening behind the doors but we are aware that this person is going through some severe challenges. We need to be a community and respond as a community to people who are in need.”
On Saturday, Nov. 26, said the NYPD, police responded to a 911 call of an “emotionally disturbed” person in a shelter in Mount Hope in the Bronx. They found Dimone Fleming, 22, acting erratic and placed her into custody. She was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital for psychological evaluation. Cops were later called back to the apartment, finding Fleming’s two sons. Octavius Fleming-Canada, an 11-month-old, and 3-year-old Dashawn Fleming had multiple stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Fleming was charged with multiple counts of murder, said NYPD.
The Associated Press reported that Dwane Fleming, Fleming’s father, said that she had a crippling case of postpartum depression and wanted to get help. And Casey Canada, one of the children’s great-aunt, said she had become obsessed with demons. “She thought the kids were devils. She said she was afraid of them,” said Canada in an interview.
“The safety and well-being of New York City’s children is our top priority. We are investigating this case with the NYPD,” said a New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) spokesperson.
Current state law prohibits ACS from giving further details. Adams said he didn’t know of another job as difficult as ACS and commends the team.
Adams said that going forward the city would give outreach workers, city-operated hospitals, NYPD and first responders the legal authority to hospitalize those with severe mental illness who are a danger to themselves and homeless individuals. He spoke about breaking the cycle of constantly medicating and releasing people without proper long-term treatment.
“My administration is determined to do more to assist people with mental illness, especially those with untreated psychotic disorders who pose a risk of harm to themselves, even if they are not an imminent threat to the public. It is not acceptable for us to see someone who clearly needs help and walk past,” said Adams. “It cannot continue.”
The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services and the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem said in a joint statement that they appreciate Adams calling attention to the mental health crisis and speaking about community-based treatment.
“He is correct that homeless New Yorkers with mental health conditions have the right to health care, housing, treatment, respect, dignity and the hope that their futures will be safe and illnesses treated,” they said. “Rather than jailing people with underlying mental illnesses and similar disorders, and then abandoning them to a chaotic and unsupported transition process when they are released into the community, mental health and drug treatment courts, along with the accompanying robust community services they provide, lead to greater public health and public safety.”
Meanwhile, many groups took issue with Adams’ agenda and handling of the mentally ill and homeless individuals.
The Brooklyn Movement Center Executive Director Anthonine Pierre said that “involuntary removals” is just a way for the NYPD to move unhoused and mentally ill people out of sight and out of mind. “While the rhetoric is compassionate, the plan itself is heartless. Similarly to the mayor’s previous safety plans, it lacks the substance to make good on its promises,” said Pierre.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics in New York City for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://bit.ly/amnews1