NY's broken mental health laws let 14-year-old's deranged alleged killer slip through the cracks despite 'all kinds of red flags'

Waldo Mejia, a Bronx man with escalating mental health issues, has been linked to the fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Caleb Rijos, raising alarm over New York City's inadequate mental health and criminal justice systems. Despite numerous violent incidents and mental breakdowns, Mejia evaded proper treatment until it was too late. This tragedy has ignited calls from officials and advocates for reform in involuntary commitment laws, aiming to prevent similar cases by ensuring timely intervention for those showing severe mental illness.

"New York City's criminal justice system - including the ever-evolving bail statutes - is just not equipped to handle people who are clearly indicating advanced signs of mental illness and engage in bizarre and violent acts."

Read at New York Post