Should parents of minors be held accountable for their kids not taking meds?
I am just asking? But I know with my daughter, I watched her like a hawk to take her meds, or not take too many meds. It was not easy, but when you know you are dealing with a mentally disturbed minor child, is it fully their responsibility?
THV
|
Diane Loften 
Joshua Leallen Loften 
Dean Worden 
Linda Garner 
It's been two days since a Jacksonville man died from gunshot wounds in a North Little Rock Wal-Mart parking lot. Now, the accused shooter's mother, Diane Loften, is speaking out only to Today's THV.
She was in court Tuesday morning for her son's video arraignment. Joshua Loften, 17, pleaded not guilty to capital murder in the death of Dean Worden.
Police say Loften shot Worden after beating another shopper and stealing her purse. Tuesday, a judge denied Loften bond.
Diane Loften says, "I just don't believe Joshua meant to do this and that if he could go back and take it all back he would."
Loften says she's still numb and in shock after learning her son is accused of shooting and killing an innocent man.
"I didn't get a chance to see him and I did not speak with him. Today was the first day that I got a chance to speak with him," she explains.
The words he spoke to her in a North Little Rock court room Tuesday, she says gives her some comfort.
"I am sorry mom, for what I did. I wasn't trying to do it," says Joshua.
But Diane adds, it doesn't take away from the horror of her son's actions.
"I would like to say, Joshua our prayers are with you and I hope that you will continue to pray and look to the Lord."
Looking through a video monitor Joshua tells his mom, "I love you." She replies, "I love you Joshua."
Since the 5th grade, Diane says Joshua has spent between four and five years in the juvenile system for misdemeanor crimes like theft and threatening family members.
In fact, he was just released June 13 after serving time for misbehaving at home.
Diane explains, "This has been a war for me trying to monitor Joshua, trying to keep up with his whereabouts and things of that nature."
In kindergarten, Diane says her son was diagnosed with mental disorders. He immediately began taking medication, which she says, drastically improved his behavior. But a month ago, she says he refused to keep taking the pills.
"I’m not trying to use this to justify, but I just want people to know that my son does have a chemical imbalance in his brain and he was born with it."
As for the victim's family, Diane says no words can mean enough for the pain she believes her son has caused them.
"They have my deepest sympathy and gratitude to what has happened, and I just know that Joshua never meant to do this. He never meant to take his life.
Loften's next court date has been scheduled for Sept. 5.
Meanwhile, Dean Worden's funeral will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Sherwood. Visitation will be Thursday night from 6-8 p.m.
Worden's family has asked the media not to contact them while they are grieving his loss.