The lack of residential psychiatric treatment options for youth is contributing to more young people entering the juvenile justice system. If not addressed, this trend might lead to juvenile detention becoming a more common alternative than it should be.

Joshua Beasley Jr.’s case exemplifies the dangers of this decline. In 2018, when he was just 11, Joshua entered the Texas juvenile justice system following a series of minor offenses. These included kicking a school safety officer and spitting on a police officer.

What started as a case with lower-level charges escalated over five years. Joshua’s behavior continued to worsen, leading to additional charges and prolonged secure custody. During this time, he engaged in severe self-harm and exhibited suicidal tendencies multiple times.

His deteriorating state eventually led to his transfer to an adult prison. Tragically, in 2023, at the age of 16, Joshua died by suicide while in custody. His story underscores the urgent need for increased psychiatric care options for youth to prevent similar outcomes.