Why would a 7 year old child be placed in a mental institution?

Question

I have a 7 year old neice who has just been placed into a mental institution in Georgia by her stepmother while her father was away in Iraq. Her step mother says that she is severely disturbed, but I know otherwise. She has always been a very happy and fun loving little girl. Her mother lives in Ohio and has joint custody, and has been fighting with the step mother to get her back. Somebody please help me understand why a mental institution would admit a 7 year old with no prior mental health issues.

there is a full scale investigation into my neice's stepmother. They feel that she was drugged. I just don't understand any of this. And if she did do something harmful it was clearly because she is unhappy and wants to be home with her mother.

Answer 1

The only way anyone, any age, can be placed in a mental institution is when some other qualifled source - medical, court - makes a determination that it's the proper place. The days of yore when a parent used to march the kid down to the local insane asylum and book a room, are gone. So I suspect that there is something not accurate or your choice of wording is confusing, or that you simply do not know all the circumstances of the event you speak of. But assuming that you are right and the mother is wrong, then consult with a child protective service worker in the community where the child is wrongly incarcerated so they can look into it.

Answer 2

People in mental institutions aren't always crazy and/or disturbed. I went to a mental hospital once for suicidal behavior. While I was in there, I saw some young children who were there for behavioral problems. I doubt that any behavioral problem cannot be resolved at home, based on how you described the child. You should definitely look into this.

Answer 3

I've lived in Georgia my entire life and getting someone committed here is very difficult. The girl would not have been sent to a mental health facility without there being something the matter with her. If you've only had casual contact with her, you may not be aware of all her problems.

Answer 4

I don't feel I could be of much help, but agree with you that a 7yr old should not be in a mental institution. Only if she is trying to harm to herself and needs to have medication and monitored on how the medicine is working. Mom definitely needs an attorney. And if she has any communication with the dad, perhaps contact him to see what he says .

Answer 5

I think the child mother knows her.. You to ask what is it abouther behavior that makes her mother fell that this is necessary.
Its better that the child gets help now rather thne grown up to be a serial killer.

Answer 6

Because the step mother is a *****, and the child should be with her bioligcal mother.

Answer 7

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN AN OLD CLASSIC MOVIE CALLED "THE BAD SEED"....

enough said.........