May 22, 2000

"WHEN SHE GOES THROUGH THIS, YOU DON'T RECOZNIZE HER. AND WHEN SHE GOES THROUGH THIS SHE'S NOT THERE ANYMORE."

A mother agonizes over her daughter's violent outbursts. She's at a loss for what to do with the child. And the girl is one of hundreds of youngsters testing the patience of their parents and the boundaries of the mental health system. News Specialist Jed Boal has the story.

There's a young girl in this detention facility with troubles that scare her mother to death, and seemingly baffle the specialists who've treated her.

The child has been diagnosed with a serious form of psychosis. She has attacked other children, and adults, and she's just nine years old.

Kristen Bonavito/Mother: "IT TOOK FOUR TRAINED ADULTS TO TAKE DOWN A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL."

That's Kristen Bonavito describing one of her daughter's most recent tantrums. Nine-year-old Skylar assaulted five teachers at school-- biting, kicking, spitting. Then they sent her home.

Kristen Bonavito/Mother: "THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR MY CHILD TO FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS AND NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD DOWN ANYTHING...A JOB, A LIFE, A FAMILY."

The outbursts started at an early age. Bonavito thought they would pass. A year ago, the violence intensified.

She fought kids at school, battered and bruised her mother, and tore up the apartment.

Then Bonavito started to worry about her other child-- nine-month old Terra.

Skylar was sent to the University Institute for Neuropsychiatry three separate times, and has been treated at Valley Mental Health. Skylar was diagnosed with schizophrenia and other disorders. They'd keep her two weeks, put her on medication, and send her home. But the calm never lasts.

Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: THE STORM BUILDING INSIDE OF SKYLAR CAME TO A HEAD LAST WEEK. HER MOM SAYS SHE RIPPED A RESTRAINING GATE FROM THE DOORWAY, LIFTED IT OVER HER HEAD, AND THREATENED HER BABY SISTER.

When Bonavito pleaded, the state took her out of the home Friday.

"IT'S MUCH MORE PREVALENT THAN ANYONE WANTS TO BELIEVE."

Vicki Cottrell of the National Alliance For The Mentally Ill says too often, children like Skylar are treated like criminal problems.

Vicki Cottrell/Nat'l Alliance for the Mentally Ill: WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, WITH THE BEHAVIOR. WE CAN'T JUST LABEL THEM AS UNDISCIPLINED AND BAD CHILDREN.

Kristen Bonavito just hopes they can find a long-term solution.

Kristen Bonavito: I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER SHE CAN HOLD ON. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE. AND I DON'T WANT IT TO TAKE OVER BEFORE WE CAN GET HER STABLE.

State statistics show eight percent of all kids in Utah are seriously emotionally disturbed. But resources for mentally ill kids are scarce. Skylar's case has caught the state's attention, and she may have a long-term program in the next week or so.