Many people are willing to die for their loved ones and family, but sometimes, it takes more courage and integrity to live for them, supporting others in their lives. One couple in Southern California couldn’t even manage to live with their son, let alone sacrifice anything for him. They abandoned him in a spare apartment they owned, leaving him on his own. Why? He’s schizophrenic, and his case would seem to be quite severe. Living alone, he’s become an absolute menace to the neighborhood, so much so that one of the neighbor’s children, presumably their son, believes legal action needs to be taken.
Posting the situation to r/legaladvice, this neighbor’s son prefaced by saying that “This is an extremely sad story of Asian parents not believing in mental health issues and burying their problems by abandoning their schizophrenic adult son in their spare apartment without supervision.” He continued, explaining how this mentally disabled individual has been screaming at night, climbing on roofs, peeping into people’s homes, and even throwing dog droppings around. The police have gotten involved, but his two arrests haven’t done much in stopping his rampage.
Adult Protective Services Might Be the Key to Keeping the Neighbors Safe
Now, OP and his parents believe they are in danger as neighbors, considering how wild and dangerously unpredictable the schizophrenic son can be. Yet, it’s not like he can be evicted since his estranged parents own the home. With the HOA and authorities offering little help in containing this person, OP wonders if Reddit has any advice to offer on the matter. Without a doubt, one commenter’s suggestion of contacting Adult Protective Services is a great call, as the son clearly is not of sound mind to be on his own, even as a grown man.
According to the Department of Social Services, any dependent disabled adult who can’t meet their own needs or suffers from neglect is eligible for APS, and the Californian schizophrenic son likely falls into these categories. “Crisis Services can place a hold if the individual is a danger to self or others,” adds another Redditor.
As for pursuing legal action against the son or the parents who left him behind, that might be tricky, unless the son has harmed someone or damaged their property. If whatever he’s done over the time that he’s terrorized the neighborhood counts as a crime, then perhaps OP and his family might have a case.
