A Mother’s Search for Her Son: The Struggle Between Mental Health, Homelessness, and the Law
OMAHA, Neb. — Kristi Kerwin, a Douglas County mother, is in a heart-wrenching battle to find her 30-year-old son, Brian Curtis, who has been missing for two months. Curtis, who lives life “off the grid,” struggles with schizophrenia and prefers to remain un-medicated, leaving his mother grappling with the complexities of mental health care, homelessness, and the law.
Curtis’s story is not unique. Across the country, families face similar challenges as they navigate the intersection of mental illness, homelessness, and limited resources. Kerwin, now her son’s legal guardian, has tried to balance what Curtis needs with what he wants.”He just wants to be out there off the grid, and the problem is I can’t force him to do living situations or medical situations that he doesn’t want to do,” she said. “I’m not sure what my options are at this point.”
The struggle is compounded by a lack of resources.Kerwin has worked with the state’s mental health board, but the system’s limitations are stark. “They released him in three days. We had a family meeting, and they said it’s not illegal to have a mental health situation, and it’s not illegal to be homeless, so they told the family to let him be,” she explained.
Douglas County Sheriff aaron Hanson has seen cases like Curtis’s all too frequently enough. “The commonalities are striking, and there is a lack of a safety net for people struggling with acute mental health issues,” Hanson said. Curtis now has a warrant out for his arrest, not for any violent crime, but as a means to locate him.”Brian is a wanted party not for anything atrocious, but using the criminal justice system that he is now regrettably a part of, we can get the word out about him to try to find him,” Hanson added.
Kerwin hopes for legislative changes that could help families like hers. “As far as the law goes, I would hope to broaden the scope of what constitutes a danger to self and others,” she said. “I don’t think a person needs to be at gunpoint or ready to jump off a bridge before they’re a danger to self and others.”
State Sen. Carolyn Bosn has heard similar concerns. “There’s such an overlap—the only reason they are getting services is because they happen to break the law, which isn’t really a good way to get some of these services out because I don’t think that’s a long-term solution,” Bosn said. She believes there is interest among her colleagues to address these systemic issues. “We either need to pivot or maybe do both things to continue what we’re doing with community health and maybe some legislative changes,” she added.
For now, Kerwin waits, hoping her son is safe. “Brian, your family loves you very much. We want to help you if you would just come home,” she said.
Key Facts About Brian Curtis
| Detail | Information |
|————————–|——————————-|
| Age | 30 years old |
| Height | 5 feet, 4 inches |
| Weight | 175 pounds |
| Condition | Schizophrenia |
| Last Seen | Two months ago |
| Contact Information | douglas County Sheriff’s Office: 402-444-6641 |
The story of Brian Curtis highlights the urgent need for systemic change in how mental health and homelessness are addressed. Families like Kerwin’s are left in limbo,caught between the law,limited resources,and the desire to help their loved ones.
If you have any information about Brian Curtis,please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s office. For more information on mental health resources, visit the SAMHSA website.
This is a call to action for policymakers, communities, and individuals to come together and create a safety net that truly supports those in need. The time for change is now.Mental Health Crisis and the Criminal Justice System: A Mother’s Plea for Change
In Douglas County, Nebraska, the intersection of mental health struggles and the criminal justice system has become a recurring theme, leaving families like Kerwin’s desperate for solutions. Her son, Brian Curtis, a 30-year-old man battling acute mental health issues, is now a wanted individual—not for violent crimes, but as a means to locate him and ensure his safety.
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson has seen cases like Curtis’ far too often. “The commonalities are striking,” Hanson said.“There is a lack of a safety net for people struggling with acute mental health issues.” For Kerwin, this lack of support has meant filing multiple missing persons reports throughout her son’s adult life. Now, with a warrant out for his arrest, she hopes the criminal justice system can help bring him home.
“Brian is a wanted party not for anything atrocious, but using the criminal justice system that he is now unfortunately a part of, we can get the word out about him to try to find him,” Hanson explained.
Kerwin believes the current laws are insufficient. “As far as the law goes, I would hope to broaden the scope of what constitutes a danger to self and others,” she said. “I don’t think a person needs to be at gunpoint or ready to jump off a bridge before they’re a danger to self and others.”
State Sen. Carolyn Bosn shares these concerns. “There’s such an overlap—the only reason they are getting services is as they happen to break the law, which isn’t really a good way to get some of these services out because I don’t think that’s a long-term solution,” bosn said.
The challenges are twofold, according to hanson: “We’re limited by two things: the current statute, the current laws, and the lack of infrastructure.”
Bosn, however, remains hopeful. she believes there is growing interest among her colleagues to address these systemic issues. “We either need to pivot or maybe do both things to continue what we’re doing with community health and maybe some legislative changes,” she said.
For now, Kerwin can only wait and hope. “Brian, your family loves you very much. We want to help you if you would just come home,” she said.
Curtis is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 402-444-6641.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Current Challenge | Lack of mental health infrastructure and restrictive state statutes. |
| Mother’s Perspective | Kerwin advocates for broader legal definitions of “danger to self and others.” |
| Law Enforcement’s Role| Using the criminal justice system to locate individuals like Curtis. |
| Legislative Interest | State Sen. Carolyn Bosn sees potential for community health and legal reforms. |
| call to Action | Contact Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 402-444-6641 with any information. |
The story of Brian Curtis highlights a broader issue: the need for systemic change to better support individuals with mental health challenges. As Kerwin and others like her wait for solutions, the hope remains that their loved ones will find safety and the help they desperately need.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, consider reaching out to local resources or national helplines for support.
