Jacksonville woman finally gets help for her autistic son, claims he's dangerous

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville mom is finally getting some help for her son, who she believes is too dangerous to be in their home, and even the community. She tells Action News Jax she is relieved her autistic son is finally getting the help he needs.

“His behavior has escalated to domestic violence. He’s assaulted his grandmother, and attempted to stab me,” says Beth Pace, who said she’s afraid of her 15-year-old son.

“There’s just no way to know when he’s going to get angry, and become violent,” she says.

Pace said her son has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, autism, traumatic brain injury and other illnesses. She tells Action News Jax he’s been kicked out of several schools, and is a danger not only to his family, but to the community.

“He can hurt anybody,” Pace said.

In court Friday, the judge ordered the teen to Daniel Memorial, a place for kids with special needs. While this is good news for Pace, she said it's been difficult over the years trying to get him the help he needs. Action News Jax obtained a police report from February 2015 which says inmates at the Duval Juvenile Detention Center were harassing the teen, causing him to have a tantrum. We're told he was bruised so badly, the Florida Department of Children and Families was called to investigate.

“I’m not abandoning my child,” Pace said.

Pace hopes he can return home one day.

“I see other parents that have autistic kids who have similar disabilities, and they’re graduating, and I just want that for my kid. But I don’t think that’s going to happen,” she said.

In about a month, caseworkers and the boy’s attorney will meet before a judge to decide the best long-term place for him.

Cox Media Group