We know a couple whose one time “baby boy” is homeless. He is mentally ill but there is no facility that can make him stay because he is not a danger to himself or others. Every few months his parents scoop him up off the streets, take him home, clean him up, bath, haircut, new clothes, feed him and try to get him to stay and get help, but he always takes off again. There is nothing they can do to make him stay. Social workers and attorneys have told them that he is over 18 so free to make his own choices.
His parents and siblings are heart sick, constantly worrying where he is, is he OK and they fear they will one day receive a call telling them he is dead.
I know. I hate it when people are nasty to the mentally ill.