The District Attorney ordered a mental health evaluation for a mother accused of trying to poison her two children with lighter fluid.
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We first reported that Octavia Robinson had been committed to a mental facility one day before being arrested for child abuse, leaving many to wonder how she had access to her kids even after displaying erratic behavior.
According to a police report, on June 23 Octavia Robinson was involuntarily committed for threatening to kill herself with a knife during a traffic stop on Bragg Blvd. Robinson's two sons, ages six and 10 were in the backseat of the car.
Robinson was transported to a medical facility for treatment. During that time, the district attorney said her kids were placed with a neighbor.
Robinson was arrested on Sunday, the same day she was released from the medical center for child abuse after warrants said she put lighter fluid in her kids cream soda.
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District Attorney Billy West told ABC11 after Robinson's first court appearance that he wasn't sure whether the children were officially released back to her; however, the access she had was troubling.
"That is somewhat concerning with what happened after that," said West.
ABC11 requested a sit-down interview with Cumberland County DSS Director Brenda Jackson; however, she declined our request, only responding to our questions via e-mail.
We asked about the protocol for when children are taken from their parents.
"Children are taken into foster care based on safety and care concerns that meet the state/federal criteria for abuse, neglect and/or dependency," Brenda Jackson responded in a statement to ABC11.
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In the Robinson's case, the children were not the target of threats on Sunday and were placed with a neighbor.
"Parents can identify safety and kinship resources that can be assessed to care for their children in the event it is unsafe to remain with their parents," Jackson said in a statement.
While District Attorney Billy West looks into the circumstances of Sunday's incident, he also stressed the importance of Robinson's mental health, ordering a mental evaluation just moments before a belligerent, profane outburst from Robinson during court.
Robinson is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center.
The Children are in custody of DSS.