October 14, 2008

Boy Beats Burglary Rap Due To Bad Reaction To Adderall

Earlier this month a young boy named Semaj Booker beat a burglary rap after a judge ruled that the boy couldn't tell the difference between right and wrong. Semaj is 11 years old and apparently suffered a loss of contact with reality due to Adderall.

"A number of people have testified in the hearing, including, Dr. Michael Comte, on whom the defense called as an expert.

"Comte, based on his evaluation of the defendant, told the court Semaj was 'unable to form the requisite mental capacity to "intend" to commit a crime,' according to court documents. Comte said Semaj did cause damage to the property, but did so without the intent to commit a crime.

"The psychologist argued Semaj was in a disassociative state as a result of insomnia and/or reaction to his ADHD medication, Adderall, which could cause amphetamine toxicity as a side effect. The mere fact that Semaj was awake at 4 a.m. on the morning of July 5 supports this, Comte said."

No kidding. One of the oddest kids and meds stories I've heard in ages.

I know a few of you will wonder what the hell I am doing printing the boy's name. The reality is that Semaj is well-known, by name: two years ago, aged 9, he walked out of his home on his own, caught a bus to Sea-Tac International, got past TSA security without a boarding pass or ticket (nice security), and was only nabbed as he tried to board a flight. The story was all over the news locally and nationally, as was Semaj again a few months later when he pulled the same trick again. His mom even went on "Inside Edition" to discuss her son (one wonders why).

It's not clear if he was taking Adderall or some other ADHD med during his attempted fly-boy days. Of course, there may be more going on here than meds-problems:

"Comte also listed a number of adverse childhood traumas that may attribute to Semaj's cognition and impulse control, including fetal alcohol exposure in utero, predisposition to acute mental illness and repeated physical abuse and neglect. Court documents state Semaj was hospitalized at least once as a result of corporal punishment inflicted by his mother."

Why is he still living with his mother? It's one thing to spank a kid, it's quite another to knock them into a hospital. Poor kid is getting it from all sides.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at October 14, 2008 12:03 AM
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Comments

I hope they do more for this boy than recognize the drug-induced nature of his latest problems. I think that's the supposed actual goal, to help him, isn't it? Really?

Posted by: Sophia at October 14, 2008 10:36 AM

I believe it is easier for defense attorneys, judges, even prosecutors to understand that the ADHD drugs are actually amphetamines. Most people are aware of this and also know that the ADHD drugs are a controlled substance.

Of the 47 school shootings on www.SSRIstories.com, though, not one of these children was on an ADHD drug. They were all on antidepressants. This is why people don't "get it" yet. If the 47 school shootings had involved ADHD drugs, I believe these drugs would have been banned by now.

There is a case on www.SSRIstories.com of a 17 year old boy - a junior in high school with no criminal record, no school bad-conduct record who murdered his mother & two sisters and then called his father and said there had been a burgalry. The police were so dumbfounded they tested his blood the minute he arrived at the police station that night. They found no alcohol or illegal drugs, only Prozac. His defense attorney didn't "get it" either. He used the defense of "split personality" where the alter ego had committed the crime. This case can be viewed at http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=475

As for the little guy [and 11 is darn young] who committed the so-called burglary, I do hope that someone notices the tragic situation of his home life besides the Adderall use which obviously made him susceptible to going off the deep end.

Posted by: Rosie at October 14, 2008 10:54 AM

Why has the mother not been arrested for assaulting him and not monitoring his condition? Where is the father, he should be charged with neglect if he abandoned him, if he knows he exists. I do not see adderal doing this unless the kid was manic at the time, and taking too much.
Who the hell is his Dr?
The drug is not responsible, it is just a molecule. We need to include more time in our medical system, it has to be part of it to check and talk. There is not enough time, and many people do not act as their own advocates.

Posted by: da6 at October 25, 2008 02:21 PM
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