Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture

Sheriff seeks help for inmate; mental health system 'broken'

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI--   A sheriff in Sault Ste. Marie is using social media to plead for assistance for a mentally ill jail inmate. 

Chippewa County Sheriff Michael Bitnar posted a long message on Facebook, saying Michigan's mental health system is "broken.” The sheriff says he's tried “over and over” to get help for the man, a Vietnam veteran.

Bitnar says the man was found incompetent to stand trial in December, but a bed at a state psychiatric hospital won't be available until June.

The Facebook post has been shared by more than 600 people.

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