States must take immediate action to address the decline in residential psychiatric treatment for young people. Without intervention, juvenile detention is poised to become the fallback option.
Published on July 13, 2026, at 10:03 p.m. EDT, this piece highlights the crucial need for change. Christina Buttons from City Journal, a publication backed by the Manhattan Institute, sheds light on the issue.
The tragic case of Joshua Beasley Jr. illustrates the severity of the problem. At 11, Joshua entered the Texas juvenile justice system in 2018 after committing minor offenses such as kicking a school safety officer and spitting on a police officer. Initially treated as a minor case, it escalated over five years as his behavior worsened.
Joshua’s situation deteriorated significantly. He engaged in self-harm and attempted suicide several times, leading to his eventual transfer to an adult prison. Tragically, at age 16, Joshua died by suicide in 2023.
This case underscores the urgent need for improved psychiatric treatment options for youth. Without adequate support and intervention, many more children may face similar fates.
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