Calgary judge's unusual tactic 'opened doors' for mentally ill teen needing treatment bed

Amentally ill 14-year-old will now be treated instead of jailed justfour days after a Calgary judge publicly blasted the government when he was told the only place for the boyto be housed was behind bars.

Over the weekend, the province found a bed at a secure treatment facility for the boy who youth court Judge Steve Lipton said suffers from drug addiction, paranoia and hallucinations.

On Thursday, Liptonsummoned the media to his courtroom when he learned there were no secure treatment beds available in southern Alberta. The boy remained atthe Calgary Young Offender Centre.

"He's mentally ill, and I'm keeping him in jail and he's a kid," said Lipton. "What is wrong with this picture?"

• 'I'm trying to save his life': Judge blasts Alberta government for mentally ill teen with nowhere to go

The teen,whose identity is protected by a publication ban,faces charges of assault, failure to appear, mischiefand theft.He is in the care of the province under a permanentguardianship order.

Lipton's comments "opened doors" for the boy, according to the executive director of theteen's designated First Nations child and family services agency. CBC News is not naming the director or the First Nation involved to protect the child's identity.

"I'm glad someone else has seen what we're going through," said the director. "I'm glad because we're able to keep the child safe and develop a treatment plan.

"The biggest thing is once the judge ordered media involvement, that's what kind ofopened doorsfor this."

Though the teen's placement was celebrated, the executive director said there are many other vulnerable First Nations children in need of similar supports and services.

Government to create more secure beds

The day after Lipton's comments were published, Premier Rachel Notleysaid she would direct her government to find more supports for young offenders with severe mental illness.

The executive director also said that a meeting with regional child intervention directors to address systemic issues has been scheduled as a direct result of the media attention from Lipton's unusual approach.

According to Lipton, the teen isheavily addicted to crystalmethand alcohol, and has expressed fear that people will try to kill him or inject him with drugs while he sleeps.

Youth court Judge ToddLaRochelleissued thefive-day order for the boy to receive treatment at the secure facility. That order can be extendedfor up to 30 days.

The boy will be back in court June 9, when an extension on his treatment order can be sought.