The Sad Story of Aaron Shehu

I didn't know Aaron Shehu personally but I've known people like him. People struggling with their own perception and understanding of themselves. Aaron was a young man (17) with a developmental disability and a hard life. Over the years Aaron got himself into trouble mainly due to behavioral issues at school and in his home. In 2010 he was referred to a non public school for troubled youth. At some point, the school knew they were probably in over their head and Aaron was removed. He tried to return to the school and in the process allegedly stole a few vehicles. He was apprehended by a NYS Trooper and ended up in a small Town Court and remanded to the county jail. He remained in that setting for 6 months while the wheels of justice slowly, very slowly turned. On the morning of Nov. 27, 2010 after taunting by other inmates, Aaron Shehu tied a sheet around his neck and hung himself from his cell door.

All of this is reported in an article in the Chronicle Express in Penn Yan, NY that you can read here. The article is about an investigation and finding by the NYS Commission of Corrections that the county jail acted properly in the case of Aaron Shehu. Maybe, maybe not. Aaron's parents are suing the Sheriff, jail administrators, a local hospital, a Doctor and others. In the meantime, Aaron is dead and it doesn't seem many spoke up for him in those last 6 months of his life. A system of support for Aaron, support for his family and even support for the jail personnel failed miserably it seems.

This is what happens when community supports are either non existent or people don't know how to access them. This is what happens when good intentioned people reduce services. This is what happens when people are devalued by our legal system. There are serious questions in my mind about the role of state agencies (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, State Education Department, Department of Health to name a few) as well as county and community agencies in this story. I hope lots of people think this one through. Read the article and ponder how many things went wrong and how many Aarons you may know.