#freeKoura22

#mentalhealthawareness

On May 23, 2021, my daughter (age 20 at the time) was arrested for "harassment of a public servant, while having a psychotic episode. Basically, she spit on a cop. Right before this incident occurred, and during the police arrival, she was seeing and hearing things not in this reality. There were no drug charges, or anything relating to drugs at the time of the arrest, and everything to do with mental instability.

My daughter, now 22 years old, has been struggling with mental illness and related issues since she was 13 years old. She has received care from many different hospitals, clinics, residential treatment centers, and numerous doctors. Although she is on medication, and has been for several years, it is a daily struggle for her.

After this arrest, she had a court appointed lawyer who did nothing to defend his client, and she ended up with 3 years probation. While on

probation, she was still very much struggling with depression and suicide ideation.

In February of 2022, she attempted to leave this world. Thankfully, we were able to get an ambulance to her and she was transported to

Angleton Hospital, where they revived her, and then decided to discharge her just eleven hours after an intentional overdose. As a mother, I was shocked that the hospital was releasing her in such a short time, and desperate to find real help for my daughter before this could escalate any further.

Sadly, I was naive and trusted the wrong person - her probation officer. My daughter was in the process of getting her probation moved to a mental health 

caseload. I had personally met with the probation officer on several occasions. In fact, every time that my daughter had a meeting with her, I was invited and I was present. At that time, I was under the impression that she really cared and wanted to help with mental health resources. She presented herself in that manner, and she even stated that she has had similar experiences with people in her life. 

After I brought my daughter home from the hospital, knowing she was still unstable, I went to the probation officer with hospital discharge papers stating "intentional overdose" and a plea for help in finding resources to get her well. She assured me that everything was going to be fine and she was going to figure something out. She then asked me to bring my daughter in the next day for a drug test. I asked, Why? You already know what it is going to show. I just handed you the discharge paperwork.* She said it's just to get her there and she would find a suitable place to help her.

Instead, she had her arrested and sent to county jail, where my daughter spent a total of 7 months before being sentenced to Substance Abuse Felony Punishment (SAFP.) I had hired an attorney to defend her at the time of this sentencing. The attorney I hired turned out to be worthless in defending my daughter. I think he only met with her once, briefly, to sign some papers. The prosecution ( including the PO as part of the prosecution) presented 2 options to the judge, while the lawyer I hired had NOTHING.

So, my daughter is in prison now - sentenced to 9 months “substance abuse program” and 3 months aftercare program. This place does not treat mental health issues that my daughter has been struggling with for years. She is not a drug addict and does not have a criminal history. She’s just a girl that needs some help. When does the punishment end and the healing begin?

I am asking anyone who can afford to, to please donate to this cause so that I can hire a competent attorney and bring my baby home. Any amount is welcome and appreciated.

Thank you,

April Russo