Man disappears from Arizona mental health facility | FOX 10 Phoenix
Elijah Blanding’s family says he was under the care of Community Bridges, Inc. in Avondale, but now they can’t get a straight answer on where he is and in this extreme heat, their concerns are only growing.
Blanding’s aunt, Kindra Reagor says Elijah may be 25 years old, but mental health issues caused by a traumatic brain injury leave him with the headspace of a child.
“He has the capacity, the mind capacity of a 6, 7-year-old, so he’s out here vulnerable,” said Reagor.
Vulnerable because Reagor says Elijah has been missing since June 17.
FOX 10’s Nicole Krasean reports.
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6 Comments
The agencies that work with the SMI population in Arizona walk a slippery slope. Places like CBI-Avondale, cannot hold anyone against their will without a Court order. If this man was not on C.O.T., they have to let him leave if he insists on going. No matter what the weather outside. As far as his case manager dropping him off at C.A.S.S., that's only done when a client insists they are homeless and have nowhere else to go. So evidently, he did not indicate he had family where he could have been released to. The family members interviewed for this broadcast, should have been contacted if there is an ROI in his file, in lieu of driving him to C.A.S.S. But unfortunately, if at any point he insisted they not be, he has the final say, and the case manager would have no choice but to take him there. This story did help a little to highlight the issues surrounding the SMI community in Arizona. So many are homeless, and places like C.A.S.S. are full year round. Especially when it's triple digits outside. There's an affordable housing shortage for the SMI population, and group homes that can accomodate them, are few. The only choice many have, is to live with extended family or on the streets. I hope once he's found, he's able to go and live with his family in the community. It's sad that so many of the SMI adults in the valley, end up in this situation.
Mustang 🐎 Sally eeeee. RepbliNUT. Maga cult. MAKE AMERICA TRUMPLESS AGAIN FRANKLIN. 🤘🃏🎸🥃🍺🤤😵🚔🧱🪦🦧😎🌜
Did you know that Arizonas supreme court (100% republican btw) ruled that the mormon church has the privilege to conceal and not report crimes committed against children?
Cbi or smi are controlled and abuse this happens they keep secrets and they cover up and lies it part of their no accountability or responsibility me and my mother have delt with cbi as well as smi so much as make go under and cops don't give damn about anyone but themselves and the body count in Phoenix is ridiculous they have killed many homeless people for their ego
Probably murdered by staff
They just want to sue