Living w mental illness in a system stacked against Xanath

Our names are Maria, Atzay, and Alitzel and as her mother and sisters we are asking for your support on behalf of Xanath [sha·knot] Perez. We are devastated to share the trauma she has been enduring. We really appreciate you taking the time to read her story. Xanath is 24 years old. She is kind, loving, funny, and a fashionista. There's not enough room to describe how truly wonderful she is. She's been living with schizophrenia since she was 14 years old but that has never stopped her from being a ray of sunshine.

Xanath has been in and out of hospital/treatment facilities for the past 10 years but has never experienced such abuse as she has now.

In the past 2 years, Xanath’s journey took a turn for the worst. Since then Xanath has attended an adult boarding care home, hospital, and detention facility. Each facility let her down every step of the way. These facilities did not provide adequate care, failed to maintain her treatment, and betrayed her trust. Due to the lack of medication she was receiving, she relapsed after years of stability and began having psychotic episodes. Each facility pressed charges, despite being the only places she could turn to for help. The system failed her.

In court, she was deemed mentally incompetent which meant all her court proceedings came to a pause. She was then sent to a state hospital to “regain competency”.

She was taken to Patton State Hospital in Fall of 2023 and remains there today. While at Patton she has been experiencing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from staff members. As if she hasn't gone through enough, staff at Patton are not taking action to keep her out of danger allowing the abuse to escalate.

As a family, we love her, are concerned for her and are heartbroken. Despite everything she has endured, Xanath has remained the sweetest soul. Mentally ill or not, no one deserves to be treated that way. Unfortunately we’ve come to the realization that the justice system is not made to support those who suffer from mental illnesses and as a result this is our last resort. Any money donated will be used to hire a private lawyer who can get her out of danger, prove her innocence in court, and help her come home.

Any amount you're willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated, and if you aren't able to contribute money at this time, a share with your friends and family would mean the world to us and Xanath.