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Sandra Yi ReportingAdvocates for the mentally ill say they're not surprised that Melissa Ann Rowland is making headlines again. As Eyewitness News first reported last night, the woman who was initially charged with murder for the stillborn death of her son was arrested in Ohio. And she claims she's pregnant again.
Rowland is currently on probation. She was also ordered to get drug treatment, but advocates for the mentally ill say that's not enough. They believe Rowland is mentally ill and will stay on the wrong track if she doesn't get help.
Melissa Ann Rowland is in trouble with the law again -- this time in Chillicothe, Ohio. On Friday she was arrested for criminal trespassing.
The police report says, Rowland was 'yelling and harassing the clerks' in a municipal courthouse. But it doesn't end there.
On Wednesday Rowland was also cited for trespassing and for loitering at a gas station parking lot. The day before, a local hotel manager called police saying Rowland was 'causing problems and not paying for her stay.’ Yesterday, she told Eyewitness News, that Rowland was contacting adoption agencies, and claiming she was going to have a baby this month.
Vicki Cottrell, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: “I was not a bit surprised because this is the pattern.”
Cottrell says Rowland's behavior is a symptom of mental illness.
Vicki Cottrell: "In and out, in trouble, out of trouble, in trouble, out of trouble--it's a revolving door for them. I don't know the case personally and I'm not her doctor, but from what I'm seeing, I don't think she has delusional issues, but she certainly has irrational thinking and she's certainly getting in trouble because of that."
Four weeks ago Rowland walked out of the Salt Lake County Jail. She had promising plans for her future.
Melissa Rowland, April 29. 2004: “I’m going to go to Indiana to drug rehab and I’m going to try to go to college and get off social security.”
Vicki Cottrell is optimistic Rowland can achieve her goals, with some help.
Vicki Cottrell: "I hope that Melissa Rowland can get all of the treatment that she needs before her life is wasted."
Rowland has until Friday to show that she is in rehab. Otherwise a bench warrant will be issued. Salt Lake County prosecutors declined to comment before the deadline.
