In the wake of a horrific incident in which four children were stabbed in their family home, allegedly by a relative, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) is expressing his support for a change in the state’s mental health law that would allow officials to remand for involuntary treatment individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others or who cannot care for themselves, under certain conditions.

The change has been proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul for inclusion in the state budget, which is now in the process of being finalized. Legislators and the governor are currently working on the wording.

“I strongly support this proposal, which would provide an important backstop to help prevent mentally ill people from endangering themselves or others, with certain qualifications,” Assemblyman Colton said. “First, we must be careful how we identify what ‘not being able to care for themselves’ means. In addition, we must precisely define procedures for release, and make sure we include sufficient resources in the budget. There must be treatment protocols and facilities available so that people who have been confined are not simply released back onto the streets, as is often the case now.”

In the incident which occurred on Sunday, April 6, a man armed with a butcher knife stabbed four girls, ages eight to 16, in a house at 84^th Street and 17^th Avenue. They were rescued by police who rushed to the scene after a fifth child escaped the home and called 911. The cops reportedly used tracking technology to locate the scene of the incident because the child who called could not tell them the home’s address. When the officers entered the blood-spattered room where the carnage was occurring, the man with the blood-soaked knife reportedly approached them. After he did not respond to orders to drop his weapon, according to reports, the officers shot him, critically wounding him, but saving the wounded children.

“I am incredibly grateful to the police officers from the 62^nd Precinct who responded to the scene, and who saved those children’s lives,” said Assemblyman Colton. “Their courage and quick thinking clearly made all the difference in a life-and-death situation in which every second mattered.

“The man who allegedly assaulted the children has been reported to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression,” he added. “Situations like this are why I support the governor’s proposal regarding the involuntary remandment of people with mental health issues who could pose a danger to themselves or others. Such a policy, had it been in place, might have prevented this terrible incident from occurring in the first place.”