A shocking incident led to a possible positive solution for Guam and the family of baby Alexya Esser.
In January of this year, a video went viral on social media showing 10-month-old Baby Alexya being punched in the face by a woman; who police believed to be 44-year-old Yu Hua Han. Han was initially placed behind bars for assault and child abuse as misdemeanors that were later upgraded to felony charges. Han plead not guilty by reason of insanity and after psychological evaluation she was diagnosed with schizophrenic spectrum disorder. Parents of Alexya, Fred and Alexa Esser, have found support from the community in hope for a resolution.
Mother of Alexya Esser shared, “We’re not angry with her at all. We just want to make sure that she gets the treatment she receives so that she doesn’t hurt anyone again and with other people in the future we want to make sure that if they receive treatment they won’t hurt someone too.”
The issue brought attention to Guam’s treatment requirements for individuals who suffer from mental illness. As a result of community concern, Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr. got involved. Senator Rodriguez stated, “We tried to figure out what happened, where was the crack, and how did this person fall through the crack? After that happened, we tried to really wrap our minds around it and see how can something like this happen, you know. At least from my perspective from anger it turned to compassion for the perpetrator. “
A compassion that led to the introduction of a new bill formed when the Senator reached out to Guam Behavior Health; only to discover that continued care for the mentally ill does not include care for individuals who have already finished their initial treatment, their in patient treatment , or who have transitions out of mental health court.
Senator Rodriguez explains, “We introduced together with 11 other of my colleagues, a bill that would provide for assisted outpatient treatment service for individuals with certain mental illnesses.”
Alexya’s mother and father are hopeful of the efforts. Alexa Esser adds, “I really do feel that this bill will help prevent this from happening again to other people.”
If the law is passed, it will become effective immediately and known as the baby Alexya Law.
