Sister, dispatcher, and JSO praised for protecting mother and 4 children during mental health crisis

A mother and her four children in Jacksonville Beach, Florida were kept safe thanks to the quick actions of a concerned family member, Jacksonville police, and dispatchers. The woman was experiencing a mental health crisis and had threatened to drive off a bridge with her children in the car.

Body-worn cameras from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office captured officers intervening to help the family. The woman’s sister had called dispatchers to provide details about her sister’s mental state and where she might be heading, which allowed them to quickly assess the situation and respond appropriately.

During the 911 call, the worried sister shared that her sister had threatened to harm herself and her children, providing key information that helped officers locate her. They found her in her SUV in Jacksonville Beach, near the lifeguard station, and determined that everyone was safe inside, including her four children. The woman was taken to a hospital under the Baker Act, and the children were taken to a responsible relative, while the Department of Children and Families launched an investigation.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office credited its Co-Responders Program, which pairs officers with mental health professionals, for resolving the situation peacefully. This program began in 2020 to help officers de-escalate situations involving individuals in mental crisis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call 988 to reach a mental health counselor at any time for free and confidential support. This incident in Jacksonville Beach serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and intervention in keeping communities safe.