Court ordered internment of young man killed by lion in zoo a month before tragedy

A court order for Gerson de Melo Machado, 19, to be interned in a long-term institution had been issued on October 30, by Judge Rodrigo Marques de Silva Lima. Gerson died on Sunday (30), after entering a lion enclosure at a zoo in Parque Arruda Câmara, in João Pessoa, exactly one month after the determination. With information from g1. In the decision, Gerson was deemed non-imputable due to schizophrenia, and outpatient treatment was deemed insufficient ‘to contain the defendant’s dangerous impulse and to ensure the effectiveness of the initial psychiatric treatment’. According to the decision, the internment would take place at the Hospital de Custódia e Tratamento Psiquiátrico (HCTP). ‘…it is the most appropriate measure to safeguard public order and, especially, to ensure treatment for Gerson de Melo Machado,’ wrote the judge. More than one decision for internment To TV Cabo Branco, Judge Conceição Marsicano said she had also determined the measure, with a referral to the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS). ‘He has a medical certificate, he has a report to that effect. The conditions, what procedure is carried out there, that’s up to the technical body, which is the one who oversees everything and would be obliged to follow, not only follow, I think it would go beyond,’ said the judge. Gerson was being treated at CAPS Caminhar. There, there is no housing, but other forms of care that allow patients to stay at the center during any crises, according to director Janaína D’emery. ‘We have day care, either he comes on Mondays and Tuesdays, or he only comes once a week. He didn’t want at all to stay 24 hours, so we offer the intensive from Monday to Sunday. This also includes Saturday and Sunday, for him to come, participate in activities and also leave after the last medication,’ said the director. For prosecutor Leonardo Pereira, from the Health Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry of Paraíba (MPPB), the best guidance for cases like Gerson’s is the referral to a therapeutic residence, places managed by the municipality that house former inmates of psychiatric hospitals. ‘The municipality has a social service that should support these people. They should place these people in therapeutic residences or in hostels that can provide treatment,’ he said. According to the Municipality of João Pessoa, there are three therapeutic residences in the city. Photos of the case Who was the man who died when attacked by a lion Gerson had been arrested twice six days before his death for damaging two ATMs and throwing a stone in a Military Police car. With a troubled history, the young man was accompanied by the guardian councilor Verônica Oliveira. According to her, Gerson’s mother suffers from severe schizophrenia. As a result, his guardianship and that of his four siblings were taken from her by the court. The siblings were adopted, but Gerson was not, as he already showed symptoms of psychological disorders. ‘The mother actually lost the family power over the five children because she has a very severe schizophrenia. Both grandmothers also had mental problems. Gerson didn’t have an extensive family that could take care of him,’ she said. For the councilor, the absence of shelters, ‘where autonomy and welcome are worked on’ in the municipality of João Pessoa contributed to his vulnerability. ‘… There they have more autonomy, they have closer monitoring. That wasn’t Gerson’s case. After he turned 18, he was left to his own devices. He left institutional care and entered the prison system,’ she said. What the zoo says ‘The Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park (Bica) deeply regrets the incident on Sunday morning (30), when a man deliberately entered the lion’s enclosure, leading to his death. This is an extremely sad episode for everyone, and we express our solidarity and feelings to the family and friends of the man, who has not yet been identified. As soon as the incident was noted, the park was immediately closed, following all security protocols. The teams contacted the competent authorities and provided the necessary support for the care and forensic work. We inform that Bica will remain closed for visitation until the completion of the investigations and official procedures, valuing transparency and commitment to the safety of our visitors, employees, and animals. We emphasize that the park follows strict technical standards and safety protocols, and we are fully cooperating with all responsible entities to clarify the facts. The Arruda Câmara Park extends its solidarity to the family of the young man who passed away, deeply regrets the loss, and wishes strength during this difficult time.’