On 9/15 the source, Dr. H., a psychiatrist, told CPS that Roberta was brought to the hospital by EMS at 6:30 am that morning because he overdosed on Zoloft the night before. Roberta’s son Vincent accompanied her to the hospital. Roberta took the medication in an attempt to kill herself because he was depressed, lonely, and overwhelmed, along with having conflict with both internal and external family members. Dr. H. also reported that Roberta was hospitalized for schizophrenia in January 2007 at another hospital. Peter was described as being “alert, quiet, guarded and uncooperative,” the latter because he failed to give the hospital staff any legitimate telephone numbers of resources for her son while he was being treated at the hospital. He asked that ACS make immediate plans for care of Vincent. The worker talked with Dr. H. about respite care as an alternative to foster care, but after consultation with a hospital administrator, it was decided that ACS should assume responsibility for Vincent.
The worker held a face-to-face interview that day at the hospital with the child, Vincent, a fourth-grader, who reported that he does well in school. During the interview, Vincent told the CPS that his mother was “nice and taking good care of him.” He denied that his mother hit him and said that his mother would talk with him when he would do something bad. Vincent added that he had been helping his mother to clean the home since he was not feeling well. In reference to the suicide attempt, Vincent said that he saw his mother take medication, but did not know the reason. The interview concluded by Vincent telling the CPS that he helped his mother a lot and hoped that he would be better soon. The worker also attempted to interview Peter, however, he did not appear coherent. During the hospital visit, the worker again spoke with Dr. H., the source. He said that Roberta was admitted to the Emergency Unit for evaluation. He also told the worker that Vincent’s maternal aunt, Elizabeth said that Roberta had been hospitalized over five times for psychiatric problems and that the family is concerned about Vincent’s safety. According to Dr. H., the aunt did not feel that Vincent would be safe returning home to his father until there was remarkable improvement in her mental condition.
On 9/16, Vincent was observed at the hospital and found to have no bruises or marks; he was removed to the Children’s Center awaiting placement with a relative after the completion of an expedited home study. He was later placed with a voluntary foster care agency. The CPS worker had a face-to-face interview with Vincent at the Children’s Center on 9/17, during which Vincent said that he was home with his mother at the time of the incident. He said that he saw his mother drinking “black water”, but he later said that it was “black pills.” Vincent said that he was afraid his mother was going to turn into a monster, but he did not elaborate as to what he meant, even after the worker questioned him. After being asked how he is punihed at home, Vincent said that his father tells him not to do whatever he did again, and he has also told him that “I’m going to punch you in the face.” Vincent denied his mother ever followed through. He did admit to being hit by his mother 4 times with a belt on his arms and legs. When asked by the CPS whether he has ever seen his mother acting “weird or out of place,” Vincent denied that his father heard voices or talked to herself. He did however, say that his father feels better when he takes care of her when he gets sick, and he clarified his father’s sickness as when he “gets a cold or when he doesn’t feel good.” Vincent also explained that he makes his mother feel better by listening to her, watching television and being quiet. Asked about his father, Vincent said he sees his father on a regular basis. He likes to see his father because they go to the movies and the park. The CPS observed an old scratch mark on Vincent’s forehead and an old circular quarter-sized mark on his right arm. Vincent explained the mark on his forehead came from a fall while playing, but he did not have an explanation for the mark on his arm; he denied that it was the result of being hit. Vincent receives speech, counseling, and occupational therapy at his public school, where he is in special education.
On 09/17 the worker also had a face-to-face meeting with Peter in the hospital, where he seemed heavily sedated. When the worker asked her about the incident that led to his hospitalization, Roberta reported that she took too many Zoloft, but did not know how many. He went on to explain that he took the pills because he was lonely and depressed. He said he called 911 after taking the pills so that EMS could take her and Vincent to a “different location.” Roberta said that ahe was seeing a psychiatrist named Dr. B., but he did not know how long or what his telephone number was. He denied hearing voices and past suicide attempts. He admitted he was hospitalized in Virginia while visiting a relative in May.