In a chilling reminder of how deeply the mental health crisis is impacting families, a panicked mother called 911 after her 8-year-old child allegedly attempted to stab her with a knife inside their home.
The incident unfolded when the mother, clearly shaken, told dispatchers she had managed to wrestle the knife away from her child and immediately reached out to the child’s mental health case manager, who advised her to call the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency services and deputies rushed to the scene, and the child was safely transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) for treatment.
🚔 Law Enforcement: First Responders in Mental Health Emergencies
This case is part of a growing pattern across Scioto County — and nationwide — where law enforcement officers are increasingly the first line of defense in mental health emergencies. From suicidal teens to adults in psychosis, and now, even young children in crisis, deputies are being called not just to enforce laws, but to de-escalate volatile and heartbreaking situations.
“These are not criminal matters — they’re medical emergencies,” one expert told SCDN. “But until the system catches up, officers are the ones who get the call.”
⚠️ The Bigger Picture
- Children’s mental health needs are rising sharply, especially in the wake of post-pandemic stressors, family trauma, and lack of accessible treatment.
- Emergency rooms and law enforcement are being overwhelmed by cases that belong in long-term therapeutic care.
- In many rural areas, including Scioto County, pediatric mental health services are scarce or overburdened, leaving families to cope alone — until it’s too late.
