Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds on Stabbing: 'I'm Alive for a Reason'
Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds is still recovering from multiple stab wounds inflicted by his son, who then took his own life last week. Senator Deeds recently told a local paper that he knows he is "alive for a reason," then explained specifically what that reason is: to implement change to the mental health system.
"I am alive for a reason, and I will work for change. I owe that to my precious son," Deeds told The Recorder.
Deeds' 24-year-old son, Austin "Gus" Deeds, was held on an emergency custody order at a local mental health facility but was reportedly released due to a lack of beds. The next day, he stabbed his father several times then took his own life. Now Sen. Deeds is looking to hold the mental health care system responsible and offer sweeping changes that could help many and possibly prevent future tragedies.
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"I have very strong opinions about the CSB and feel like they are responsible," Deeds is quoted as saying. "My life's work now is to make sure other families don't have to go through what we are living."
The CSB (community service board) in the Rockbridge Area is one of 40 that oversees and administers the state's mental health system at local and regional levels. They are responsible for providing emergency services such as screening for those who may pose a threat to themselves or others. Gus was released because of regulations and a lack of a bed and proper care.
Sen. Deeds was released from the hospital on Friday and later tweeted, "Some wounds won't heal."
"I cry a lot," he told The Recorder. "I can't focus now and talk to anyone."
Right now an investigation is pending as to why Gus was released and why some hospitals possibly were not contacted in the hope of finding him a safe place to stay.
"We're going to investgate the circumstances that led up to Austin Deeds' release at the expiration of the emergency custody order," G. Douglas Bevelacqua of the Office of the Inspector General told the Washington Post.
