March 11, 2008
Governor Jim Gibbons
State Capitol
101 North Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701
Dear Sir:
This letter is being directed to you as the top legislator of the State of Nevada.
I need your help and support in attempting to pass a law in Nevada. In the State of New York the law is called “Kendra’s Law”.
Kendra’s Law was signed by Gov. Pataki on 8-9-1999, creating a statutory framework for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) to ensure that individuals with mental illness, and a history of hospitalizations or violence participate in community-based services for their appropriate needs.
On 1-3-1999, Kendra Webdale was awaiting a train in Manhattan. Andrew Goldstein, a paranoid schizophrenic, who was just released from a mental hospital, pushed Kendra to her death in front of an oncoming train.
If Nevada would have had “Kendra’s Law”, or as I would like to call it, “Arabella’s Law”, my granddaughter would be here today and my daughter would not be facing criminal charges. Nor, would I, at 69 years of age, have to raise (my grandsons) Brian, now 9 and Michael, now 15 years of age.
I retired after 20 years from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and fully intended to enjoy my retirement.
(My daughter) Sherri was diagnosed with being “manic depressive” in the early 90’s. She had numerous suicide attempts, dealt with two older daughters that were diagnosed as being Bi-polar. Both girls have dealt with alcohol, jail, drugs, meth, etc.. Sherri was finally diagnosed as Bi-polar in February 2003.
Sherri developed kidney stones in 2006. The Urologist she chose, instead of taking care of the problem sent her to UMC on five different occasions for the treatment of laser zapping the stones, which did not work. The Doctor did manage to get her hooked on prescription pills.
After Thanksgiving 2006, Sherri checked herself into the new St. Rose De Lima Hospital. She went through 72 hours of treatment. On January 31, 2007, Sherri checked herself into Valley Hospital for 72 hours of treatment.
Sherri called me from Valley Hospital on Wednesday night, she sounded very strange, she said she had been given a medication that made her feel like she was floating. Sherri was released on Thursday and evidentially started drinking and taking prescription drugs. Saturday, Sherri was obviously in a blackout.
Sherri assaulted her 14 year old, Michael, fought with her neighbors and her separated significant other, Rick Moreno, the father of Arabella and Brian.
The police were called at approximately 2 P.M., by Rick. They did not respond and were called numerous times (911). By 5:30 P.M., the police had been there twice. Rick, Arabella and Brian’s father, was at that location to pick the kids up including Michael.
I was on the cell phone with Rick at that time, I could hear Sherri yelling and screaming. The police made Arabella and Brian get out of the vehicle and go back in Sherri’s house, they allowed Michael to leave with Rick.
Within 30 minutes after the police left Sherri stabbed Arabella to death. Brian was able, although wounded, to escape to neighbors.
Sherri had received three letters, that I read, as I was responsible for moving all of her belongings to storage. One from the Urologist, stating that as of September 2006, he chose NOT to have her as a patient, he also sent her full record, which also noted all of the different types of pain medication he had given her.
The second letter was from St. Rose De Lima, a form letter, stating she should not drink, do drugs and that she should get a sponsor.
The third letter, also a form letter, was from Valley Hospital stating that she should not drink, do drugs, and that she should get a sponsor.
Sherri does not remember leaving Valley Hospital, fighting with Michael, the neighbors, or the horrendous acts she did. She woke up in UMC from a coma after a week and was told what she had done.
In closing I have to mention that Sherri’s Public Defender advised me on 2-11-2008 that the police finally “found” the 911 tapes and released them to her. It seems that the first arriving officer knew that Sherri was Bi-polar and really drunk.
I trust that you will peruse the report on “Kendra’s Law” and attachments that state how many Supreme Court cases it has overcome.
Not only has this law saved thousands, and dropped the crime rate substantially, it has paid for itself and made all Mental Health Clinics, Doctors, police and the Courts stand up and be responsible.
I intend to get “Arabella’s Law” passed in the State of Nevada and would like your assistance and advice.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Love Bull
Andrea Luem, Public Defenders Office
Google Kendra’s Law