ravinc

[RAVINC]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

My son was arrested on 5/20/09 and taken to the Macomb County Jail in Michigan. He was picked up by the Macomb County Sherifs Dept for desertion. He is being held there until the army picks him up. He has numerous medical and psychological problems and is not getting the medical attention he needs. Who do I call in the army to expedite his release from the jail to army personnel. I can't find an army awol apprehension center anywhere to answer questions or even find out if they have been notified of his capture. We had all his medical documentation ready and where taking him back to Fort Knox on Monday (Memorial Day). He made his bed but as his parent I am really concerned for him. His medical condition and the related pain has caused him to threaten suicide many times in the past.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by RAVINC

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

My son was arrested on 5/20/09 and taken to the Macomb County Jail in Michigan. He was picked up by the Macomb County Sherifs Dept for desertion. He is being held there until the army picks him up. He has numerous medical and psychological problems and is not getting the medical attention he needs. Who do I call in the army to expedite his release from the jail to army personnel. I can't find an army awol apprehension center anywhere to answer questions or even find out if they have been notified of his capture. We had all his medical documentation ready and where taking him back to Fort Knox on Monday (Memorial Day). He made his bed but as his parent I am really concerned for him. His medical condition and the related pain has caused him to threaten suicide many times in the past.

There is really nothing that can be done to expedite the process. On the bright side this morbid chapter of your sons life is almost over. You should contact the jail and let them know you are worried about your sons welfare and that he may be suicidal.

Originally Posted by BsBfrantic

Look up the base phone book online, find a Chaplin- they can be helpful. See what Red Cross or Military Task Force might be able to do also. If you push the suicidal thing too far though it might cause more trouble for him than it's worth..... Our attorney said not to disclose anything like that while in PCF because then my husband could be isolated and have all his privileges taken away. Oh, which reminds me, if he was planning to turn himself (and any deserter in the same situation) it can be helpful to carry a note at ALL times stating plans to turn yourself in and that you are not a deserter. I don't see expediting jail time- it's not good to get caught, makes things worse =(

This is just stupid, the Chaplin and the Red Cross both have better things to do with their time. I would think that pointing out an individual may be suicidal is not something you can push too far. Living would always be much more important than having T.V. time and not being isolated. If he is in fact a danger to himself then something needs to be done. Carrying a note will do absolutely nothing. If a prisoner escaped from jail and carried a note at all times stating that their intent is to turn themselves back in, would it have the same effect? Absolutely not. Your final statement is pretty much the only accurate thing you have ever posted. Jail time will not be expedited and yes when you get caught breaking the law you will have to pay the consequence.

[RAVINC]

Thanks for the replies

Update: He has now been given a DD460 to return to Fort Hood. Shouldn't the local cops be releasing him to return to the base? He says the guards are telling him that he has to be released by a federal judge.

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Originally Posted by RAVINC

Thanks for the replies

Update: He has now been given a DD460 to return to Fort Hood. Shouldn't the local cops be releasing him to return to the base? He says the guards are telling him that he has to be released by a federal judge.

He will most likely be released into military custody.

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Originally Posted by BsBfrantic

My husband would have become suicidal if isolated and no cell phone to talk with family, etc..... We felt it better to not disclose. So if that would not make it worse for her son than I guess pushing that could be better depending on the case. Sorry for not elaborating. I had 3 attorneys tell us to carry that note- that with it IF he got arrested, his chances for desertion charges would be less likely.

A chaplain has something better to do than help a soldier who might be suicidal?
I pray that's not true.....

Your husband sounds like a strong man, I bet you are proud.

The boy in this situation has been DFR and is no longer in military custody. A military Chaplin would have no place in visiting him in a state run facility to check on his welfare. We pay taxes to employ professionals who will do that. When her son is transferred to military custody a Chaplin will still not be the appropriate person to evaluate his mental and emotional state. The Army also employs professionals who will do that.

Becoming suicidal and having a history of being suicidal are two different things. You essentially advised a mother to keep her mouth shut about her suicidal son so he could call her and watch TV right before he killed himself, yet another piece of invaluable advice from BsBfrantic.

If you commit a crime and carry a note that states you had no intention of committing that crime, it doesn't cancel the action out. The attorneys that told you that are morons and most likely not real. I fail to see how carrying a note would help you. Can I carry a note in my pocket from now on when I drive that excuses me from speeding? Is there a particular format this letter should be in? Can you show a citation or any proof that this is correct? (I'll give you a hint, no you can't and it is not.)

[RAVINC]

Update: He has now been given a DD460 to return to Fort Hood. The local cops have still not released him to return to the base? They say that the DD 460 came to them with a do not release statement attached. They received the DD460 at 13:00 and did not have him sign it until 17:30. I think what may have happened is they sent the signed DD460 back to the Fort Knox apprehension center after they all left for the long weekend. They probably have it sitting in their fax machine while my son sits in jail.
Wow what a nightmare. If an AWOL soldier is reading this, please turn yourself in at Fort Knox or Sill. This will help keep you from sitting in a jail with a bunch of thugs.

Just for some background,
I do love, respect and honor the men and women of the military. They are heroes to us all. Lets all remember what this holiday weekend is for.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by RAVINC

Update: He has now been given a DD460 to return to Fort Hood. The local cops have still not released him to return to the base? They say that the DD 460 came to them with a do not release statement attached. They received the DD460 at 13:00 and did not have him sign it until 17:30. I think what may have happened is they sent the signed DD460 back to the Fort Knox apprehension center after they all left for the long weekend. They probably have it sitting in their fax machine while my son sits in jail.
Wow what a nightmare. If an AWOL soldier is reading this, please turn yourself in at Fort Knox or Sill. This will help keep you from sitting in a jail with a bunch of thugs.

Just for some background,
I do love, respect and honor the men and women of the military. They are heroes to us all. Lets all remember what this holiday weekend is for.

Your son has shown that he cannot be trusted to return on his own. He will wait until the military police or a senior NCO from his command feel like coming to get him. He will not be released to turn himself in voluntarily, that would just be stupid.