Quick Thinking and Collaboration Saves Four Lives in Jacksonville Beach: Mental Health Crisis Averted with Timely Response

In Jacksonville Beach, Florida, a mother and her four children 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.

The woman’s sister had called dispatchers to provide details about her sister’s mental state and where she might be heading. Thanks to this information, officers were able 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, while the children were taken to a responsible relative. The Department of Children and Families launched an investigation into the incident. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office credited its Co-Responders Program for resolving the situation peacefully. This program began in 2020 to help officers de-escalate situations involving individuals in mental crisis by pairing them with mental health professionals.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and intervention in keeping communities safe. 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.