The mother of a 6 year old says the LAUSD put her child in a psych ward against her will. |
SAN PEDRO (KTLA) -- A mother of two children is speaking out about LAUSD officials placing her 6-year old son in a 72-hour psychiatric hold because he drew what school officials considered to be a "disturbing picture."
In an interview with KNBC, Syndi Dorman said she has had a tough time while her husband was stationed in the Army overseas.
However, she says what the LAUSD did to her son was just as bad.
Dorman said her 6-year-old son, Jack, was committed to a psychiatric ward against her wishes after he drew a violent drawing at school and wrote that he wanted to die.
Domran said the picture was something from a video game her son plays.
She said her son suffers from separation anxiety and has seen a therapist in the past.
On the day he drew the disturbing picture, he was upset that he couldn't stay home with his family.
School officials at Taper Avenue Elementary in San Pedro were so concerned, they called a Los Angeles County psychiatric mobile response team.
They determined Jack needed to be committed to a 72-hour psychiatric hold at a local hospital.
Dorman told school officials that she would immediately take her son to see his own therapist.
However, school officials reportedly told Dorman that it was their call, that an ambulance was already there to take her son to the hospital.
Dorman said the ambulance ride was traumatizing for her son.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines released a statement, saying in part, "When any student indicates a desire to take his or her own life, the LAUSD is required to follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of the student ... The safety of LAUSD students is paramount. We did the right thing here."
Jack was released after 48 hours, but his mother says she worries the experience will have lasting effects.
Read the KNBC interview
In an interview with KNBC, Syndi Dorman said she has had a tough time while her husband was stationed in the Army overseas.
However, she says what the LAUSD did to her son was just as bad.
Dorman said her 6-year-old son, Jack, was committed to a psychiatric ward against her wishes after he drew a violent drawing at school and wrote that he wanted to die.
Domran said the picture was something from a video game her son plays.
She said her son suffers from separation anxiety and has seen a therapist in the past.
On the day he drew the disturbing picture, he was upset that he couldn't stay home with his family.
School officials at Taper Avenue Elementary in San Pedro were so concerned, they called a Los Angeles County psychiatric mobile response team.
They determined Jack needed to be committed to a 72-hour psychiatric hold at a local hospital.
Dorman told school officials that she would immediately take her son to see his own therapist.
However, school officials reportedly told Dorman that it was their call, that an ambulance was already there to take her son to the hospital.
Dorman said the ambulance ride was traumatizing for her son.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines released a statement, saying in part, "When any student indicates a desire to take his or her own life, the LAUSD is required to follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of the student ... The safety of LAUSD students is paramount. We did the right thing here."
Jack was released after 48 hours, but his mother says she worries the experience will have lasting effects.
Read the KNBC interview
