Teen Finally Seeking Mental Health Treatment After Numerous Charges

September 5, 2008 - 9:00 PM

KALAMAZOO (Newschannel 3) - It appears the courts have finally found help for a Kalamazoo teen involved in a legal quandary. Now Newschannel 3 knows he was sent to a mental health treatment facility.

His complicated case first came to light after police released a much scrutinized video. It shows an officer slamming a then-16-year-old against the wall during an arrest.

Newschannel 3 later found out the teen has an array of charges on his record but the courts had their hands tied. They couldn't do anything because the teen was found incompetent to stand trial.

He was allowed to go free over and over again. After the latest arrest two weeks ago, prosecutors filed an emergency request asking that the teen be put in a psychiatric facility. After Thursday's hearing their request was granted. The teen was, in fact, sent to a treatment facility in Grand Rapids.

The court also set another hearing for December that will determine if the teen should be released from his guardian's custody and made a ward of the state.