A woman who entered a home on Avenue I in east Houston was detained under an emergency order after police responded Saturday morning, ABC13 reported. The station’s account, based on the family’s experience, describes a response that ended without criminal charges.
Rogaciano and Eugenia Sosa were outside with workers building a backyard brick oven when surveillance cameras captured a red-haired woman entering their home, according to ABC13. The station reported that she was unarmed and, inside, knocked over a water dispenser and poured fruit juice on herself.
The woman took refuge under the Sosas’ dining table. The couple told ABC13 they feared for their four grandchildren’s safety, including that of a four-year-old, while the woman was inside their home, according to ABC13 Houston.
Police Response
Rogaciano Sosa told his granddaughter to call police, ABC13 reported. The woman pleaded with her not to, saying officers were trying to kill her. The family called police, then, with help from a workman, brought the woman out from under the table and toward the front door.
ABC13 reported that outside, the woman crawled across the street and tried to climb onto a fire engine.
Emergency Detention
Police detained the woman under an emergency order rather than arresting her. ABC13 reported that the district attorney’s office declined to accept criminal charges because she appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
What local crisis services do
The Houston Police Department says its Crisis Intervention Response Team pairs officers with Harris Center clinicians to assist patrol officers responding to people in serious mental health crises. The Harris Center also has an MCOT RR program.
Houston’s Crisis-Response Resources
For local crisis support, the Houston Health Department advises people experiencing a mental health crisis to call or text 9-8-8, and to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
