Background - Brother is in USCG. Found out the other day, wife has been cheating in his home when he goes on the boat. He came home a day early and found her in bed with another man...
He took wife to see psychiatrist who diagnosed her with depression with suicidal ideation and alcoholism.
They have a two month old child.
She is 19. My brother is 23. The wife has been hanging with a girl who's boyfriend is involved in gang activity.
She is down to 90lbs and we have reason to believe she is using drugs, other than marijuana.
She has already threatened my brother with knives and is extremely violent and erratic. She still has a key to their apartment. He fears for his safety and the safety of their child.
Can he put her away? How would he go about doing this.
He is filing for divorce today.
Thanks.
2007-09-14 02:11:48 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Wow, what a touchy situation.
First, he CAN have her arrested, for the threats with knives, etc. He should call the police when that happens.
If she has already been to a psychiatrist, as you said, then your brother can probably get the help of the doctor, in having her put in a psychiatric ward, even temporarily.
He definitely needs to do something. It can be touchy because of the child involved. He needs to protect that child, first and foremost, from ANY dangers. Mommy is a danger right now.
I'm not sure that he can force her into drug rehab though. But he should find family, such as you, to help him care for the baby while he's away. DO NOT LEAVE THAT BABY ALONE WITH HER!!!!
At the very least, bare minimum, he needs to document every single time anything occurs, threats, etc.
If she is down to 90 pounds (not sure what her weight was) she is probably using meth. It's one of the most popular drugs right now, widely available, and addictive the first time. He can go to the drug store and buy a home testing kit, to test her for drugs.
Good Luck. Protect that innocent child and help your brother!
2007-09-14 02:34:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No he can't commit her, what he can do is get a legal separation from her and custody of his child, and let the courts know the problems his wife is having. He will need you as a witness, to prove she is violent and erratic in behaviour, and he fears for his child's life, as well as his own. Make note of her pulling a knife on him, and she still has the home keys in her procession. This a very unsafe atmosphere for anyone ex-specially the child. Seek legal help, and make these complaints, and see what your actual legal rights are, do this ASAP as well as filing for a legal separation followed by a divorce. Take care and god bless.
2007-09-14 03:31:31 · answer #2 · answered by carmel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because she is an adult, he can not commit her for more than a 24 hour observation, and then she can sign herself out. He would need to call the psychiatrist that diagnosed her and speak to him/her about how to do this. He needs to change the locks on his place, then the key issue is solved. Other than getting a divorce, which he is doing, it looks like he is in the drivers seat, as far as custody goes. She is unfit, and a judge will not give her rights.
2007-09-14 02:17:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lee B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think he can put her away because she not really that crazy, unless she acts out. He can file for custody of his baby though, at family court. If she is down to 90lbs she is next to being dead, she may be aneroxic because of her depression, or she maybe using other drugs because she is so violent. Its ashame what drugs and the wrong friends can do to a person. She has to want to get help, your brother can try an be there for her if she wasnt already this way when he left. They both will need strong support from family.
2016-05-19 02:59:22 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure he changes the locks to the apartment, and files a restraining order along with the divorce paperwork. This should be a start. Also, make sure that your brother has all of the doctors explain the wife's status IN WRITING. This will help him immensely in winning custody of the child. Good-luck!
2007-09-14 02:20:04 · answer #5 · answered by Esses 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The psychiatrist can do an involuntary commission if he/she feels it is required. In some states a master's level clinician can do involuntary commissions as well
The court can also do an involuntary commission based on review by a court appointed psychiatrist or psychologist.
Unfortunately your brother really can't do much other than to bring her attention to the right folks - meaning the cops.
2007-09-14 02:19:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should leave and take the baby with him. To have her committed he would have to have her declared incompetent. He would have to file a motion to have her committed because she is incapable of making sound decisions on her own. It is hard to prove someone incompetent. He is better off leaving with his child. Then filing for temporary physical custody of his daughter based on the allegations of drug use and her mental state. Then she should be evaluated by a court psychiatrist. I can't stress enough that he needs to get him and his child away from her before something happens.
2007-09-14 02:18:59 · answer #7 · answered by ♦justme♦ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can file a complaint with the police department for violence and in turn for endangering their child. You should take the baby into consideration and before doing anything make sure the baby will not be taken away into the "system" - if she is a drug addict she needs help not to be institutionalized.
2007-09-14 02:18:00 · answer #8 · answered by Sirena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no he can,t put her wawy best thing he can do is seek proffesional help such as social services for the childs safety and a lawyer for legal advice he can get an interdict out on her might be best these people are his best options in the long run he is beter off without her for the sake of the child if that,s her lifestyle seek full custody his lawyer will advise him
2007-09-14 02:22:16 · answer #9 · answered by margaret d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he can by getting an OPC (Order of Protective Custody) from the coroner or a PEC (Physician's Emergency Certificate) from her doctor...If she admitted her suicidal ideations to the doctor this should have already been done .
2007-09-14 02:20:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋