Disturbing act ignites discussion on mental health among homeless
The story that seems like it was pulled straight from a horror film --- a man caught on camera allegedly biting into what appears to be a leg and waving it arou 27-year-old Rosendo Tellez is accused of removing a leg from a scene where a person was hit by a train in Wasco, California. Witnesses reported that Tellez, who they believed to be homeless, was biting, chewing, and throwing it against a wall. The incident has sparked discussion on mental health among homeless people. The Kern County Sheriff's deputies arrested Tellez on multiple outstanding warrants and evidence evidence charges related to possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication, and public drug possession. Carlos Baldovinos, Executive Director at the Mission at Kern, believes Tellez may be one of many in Kern County suffering from a mental health illness or substance abuse disorder. He hopes new initiatives like Prop 1 will provide aid for those seeking aid.
Published : 2 months ago by http://www.facebook.com/pages/eyewitness-news-bakersfieldnow/91093559934, Leslie Valle, Eyewitness News in Health
The story seems like it was pulled straight from a horror film...a man caught on camera allegedly biting into what appears to be a leg and waving it around.
27-year-old Rosendo Tellez is the man accused of removing the limb from a crash scene of a person who was hit by a train in Wasco Friday morning.
Witnesses at the scene told eyewitness news they believed Tellez was homeless, they said he not only took the leg but was biting it, chewing it, and hitting it against a wall.
“An individual most likely in the right state of mind would probably not do something like this," said Baldovinos.
Carlos Baldovinos, the Executive Director at the Mission at Kern is not a mental health expert but said Tellez could be one of many in Kern County experiencing homelessness suffering from a mental health illness or substance abuse disorder.
The Kern County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Tellez without incident on multiple outstanding warrants and for taking evidence from the scene.
Eyewitness news found Tellez has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2014.
Some of his charges include possession of a controlled substance, bringing a controlled substance into jail, and public intoxication.
KCSO has yet to release any further information on whether Tellez was under the influence or experiencing a mental health episode,
Baldovinos said for anyone that is he hopes new initiatives like Prop 1 will provide the opportunity for aid.
The newly passed measure which requires counties to redirect money toward creating drug and mental health treatment programs.
Topics: Social Issues, Homelessness