Family: Man who allegedly stole school bus has mental health issues
The man who is accused of stealing a school bus and driving toward Detroit before being arrested in Washtenaw County suffers from bipolar disorder and mild psychosis, his parents told Fox 17.
Josiah Curtis
WDIV photo
The report from Fox 17 in Grand Rapids shows Josiah Curtis’ parents revealing their son has mental health issues. Curtis was arrested last week on Interstate 94 in Washtenaw County while driving the bus east toward Detroit to start a rap career, according to police.
“He honestly believed this radio station would deliver the message he had and he would be a significant help to other people with this message,” father Dale Curtis told the TV station. “So, he was convinced that this was what he was supposed to do.”
Court records also show the man has a history of mental illness, MLive.com reported. A Kent County judge as recently as Nov. 12 ordered him to receive mental health treatment because of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depression and schizoaffective disorder, the story said.
Curtis is charged with receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle and is being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond. His next court appearance is Dec. 4.
To read the full Fox 17 report, click here.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
jns131
Thu, Nov 29, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
I thought if you drove a school bus, you were already insane. I guess this one should have been hired. Good luck to the family. Where did he take the bus from?
brian
Thu, Nov 29, 2012 : 3:57 a.m.
Ya think.
MDDuo
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.
It's obvious that this individual has severe mental issues. Hard to believe that he is being held in the county jail instead of being released into the hands of those that can render the guidance and support that is so desperately needed. Our prayers go out for him and his family.
An Arborigine
Thu, Nov 29, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
That will happen after the confirmed insanity plea
RJA
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
Can't say that I need to read anymore. Very Sad!
Ron Granger
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
"Now I drive the bus!"
tom swift jr.
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
Soooo... let's further dismantle the structure of human services in this state, because that is obviously the answer to the problem. http://www.freep.com/article/20120916/OPINION01/309160108/Deinstitutionalizing-Michigan-s-mentally-ill-has-been-an-underfunded-disaster
Mark Hergott
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
... he could have just rode the pony to Detroit, antikvetch? The fact is, a certain number of people born every year are going to be sick. Some of those people will be really sick. If they aren't taken care of... stuff like this happens. It's the old saying "pay now or pay later".
antikvetch
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
Yep, maybe if the State of MIchigan had bought him a pony when he was a child.....
treetowncartel
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 7:08 p.m.
There but for the grace of god go I
Kitty O'Brien
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
He posted this video just before stealing the bus(es). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLwv0EZweEk&feature=plcp
towncryer
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Read the Fox 17 story. Wow. Sounds like the parents are doing the best they can considering their son is not a minor. Must be heart-breaking for them. The irony is, he may very well be extremely creative/musically inclined but his illness could prevent it from ever coming into fruition.
Lovaduck
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
Ya' think? It IS however sad.
seldon
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
A strong contender for "Least Surprising Headline of 2012." I feel bad for this guy, and hope he gets the help he needs.
FrankOZ
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
The Detroit News mentions that he has a criminal history, smashed several buses before he was able to get away with the one he was in, and was pulled over for swerving on the freeway and driving erratically. Good thing no one was killed. I know how hard it can be to have someone within your family who is mentally ill, but someone like this needs to be monitored closely. He and his family need to connect with resources that can help to make sure this does not happen again.....with more dire consequences.
pegret
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Sorry, I forgot to include the link: http://fox17online.com/2012/11/27/man-accused-of-stealing-school-bus-has-mental-health-issues/
pegret
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
I agree Frank, but if you follow this link that was previously posted in another article, you will find that the family has been trying desperately to get this young man the serious long-term help he needs for a long time now. Very sad, but hopefully some good will come from this incident.
dotdash
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
Okay, not a big surprise. But sad.