[Content warning: This article discusses suicide and youth mental health]

A Christchurch mother has spoken out after her 15 year old son, who suffers from ADHD and mental health struggles, is facing a sixth consecutive night in a police cell.

Her son, who has 22 previous charges, became caught up with a ‘group of older youths’ who intimidated people at a Christchurch property last Thursday.

Security cameras captured him kicking the front door while others tried to find a way inside, she said. He son was facing a burglary charge.

The teenager was arrested alongside three others, aged 17 and 18, but while they were bailed either to home or Oranga Tamariki care, her son remained locked in a police cell at Christchurch Central Police station.

Chris Lynch Media can’t name the teenager or his mother for legal reasons.

She said he attempted to take his own life on the first night in custody. Despite this, she said there had been no urgent referral for specialist care.

“Our boy has ADHD and takes daily medication. His mental health is all over the place and he is easily led because he just wants to fit in. He has made mistakes before, but he has also been working hard to get himself back on track,” she said.

The mother said her son had not been sleeping properly and was barely eating while in custody. She also criticised the lack of follow-up after a previous incident in which he attempted suicide.

“We feel like everyone is failing our son when his mental health matters the most,” she said.  “We believed he would have been moved either to a youth justice residence or bailed home by now. Instead he’s been locked in a police cell for five days.”

New Zealand law requires that children and young people are transferred out of police cells to a youth justice facility as soon as practicable.

Both the Chief Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission have previously criticised extended detentions of children in police cells, warning it breaches their rights.

Police Canterbury Operations Manager Inspector Bryan Buck told chrislynchmedia.com “police and Oranga Tamariki are working closely in relation to a youth who has been in custody in Christchurch since being arrested on Thursday.

“The youth has been remanded in police custody by a judge until there is a suitable secure facility available, or until the youth is due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court on 27 August, charged with burglary.

“Under section 238 (1) (e) of the Children’s and Young People’s Well-being Act 1989, where a child or young person appears before the Youth Court, the court shall (if satisfied that suitable facilities for the detention in safe custody of that young person are not available) order the young person be detained in Police custody.

“We work in close partnership with Oranga Tamariki, specialist mental health services, medical professionals, the Courts, legal representatives, as well as other sector agencies, to provide a supportive and safe environment that prioritises the wellbeing of young people during their time in Police custody.”

The mother told Chris Lynch Media “I asked police where does the justice services draw the line on what is right and what is wrong in regards to keeping youth in the cells and yet again have not been given any answers.

Oranga Tamariki has been approached for comment

“If he remains in the cells tonight this will be night 6. He just wants to be out, and get back on track and ensure he’s there for the birth of his child which is due in less than 3 weeks” his mother said.

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