Was the suspected murderer given mental health treatment?

Palm Beach Gardens, FL/CBS12 News — What went wrong in the case of a West Palm Beach man arrested last week for the murder of a golfer?

A missing persons report shows that Junior Boucher’s parents knew he had aggressive behavior and had mental health issues, but for some reason he wasn’t getting the help he needed.

One has to wonder why Junior Boucher would supposedly go onto a golf course and attack a stranger?

The missing person report indicates that Boucher was struggling with his mental health.

Mental health experts say it’s clear there aren’t enough beds and enough trained professionals in the mental health treatment space.

“Your honor, I firmly believe that I am a victim of witchcraft,” Boucher told a judge at his first court appearance last week.

Boucher, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in the violent attack and killing of a golfer, Brian Hiltebeitel, 65, at Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

According to a missing person’s report, his mother told authorities that he was Baker-Acted, possibly suffering from bipolar disorder, citing, “He hasn’t been acting normally lately and today he wasn’t in his right mind.”

“I believe that two-thirds of all people will suffer from some type of anxiety or depression problem at some point in their lives, and it seems to be at an explosive rate in our society at the moment,” said Dr. Philip Henry, professor of counseling at Palm University Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach.

Dr. Henry, who is also a licensed psychologist in the state of Florida, says there is a shortage of mental health professionals.

“Why do so few people go into this area to provide mental health treatment?” We asked Dr. Henry asked. “We don’t pay them much,” he said.

“I think there is a shortage because demand has increased significantly, especially since COVID. So you see there’s not enough supply of psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and even social workers to meet the need,” said Paige Stanton, a registered psychological counseling intern, executive director of UF Health St. John’s Care Connect in St .Augustine.

Experts say it’s crucial to seek mental health treatment when needed.

“There is a possibility, and certainly not for everyone, but there is a possibility that things can quickly spiral out of control simply because of their inability to maintain a space of well-being for themselves. If you’re not able to get the treatment you need.” “That can create a sort of vicious cycle in your life,” Stanton said.

In addition to the fact that there are not enough mental health professionals to treat patients, the cost of treatment can sometimes discourage people from seeking treatment.

“The cost of treatment is very difficult for the average person to manage and is therefore unaffordable for many people,” said Dr. Henry.

We reached out to Boucher’s mother and father in hopes of finding out why he wasn’t receiving psychiatric treatment. They did not return calls seeking comment.

A Palm Beach Gardens police spokesman said they had not yet determined Boucher’s motive for attacking the golfer.