Taunton stabbing suspect’s family members criticize hospital that released him
Family members of a man who authorities say went on a stabbing rampage that killed two people in Taunton on Tuesday have criticized the hospital that discharged him hours before he became violent.
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Arthur J. DaRosa, 28, was shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy after he stabbed two women at a home in Taunton, then went to the Silver City Galleria and stabbed two others, investigators say.
He had been released from Morton Hospital that morning, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said while briefing media on the case around noon Wednesday. Later Wednesday, DaRosa’s family gathered and laid blame on Morton Hospital, which they said released DaRosa even though he wanted and needed help.
“It’s a disgrace how someone goes in for help and wants help and no one does nothing,” DaRosa’s aunt, Liz DaRosa, told reporters. “AJ is not a terrorist. He was someone’s child. His children have to grow up now without him because Morton let him out without the proper treatment.”
After DaRosa’s family spoke, Morton spokeswoman Julie Masci provided the following statement when asked for a response:
“Morton Hospital extends our thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims of yesterday’s events. We also want to express our appreciation to law enforcement officers and to emergency medical personnel including those within Morton Hospital who delivered critical response services during these events to help prevent further loss of life or injury.
Under federal law, Morton Hospital is barred from acknowledging patient names or disclosing any form of confidential patient information. This law extends to patients whose evaluations and assessments are legally required to be led and conducted by third parties selected through MassHealth.
Any questions regarding evaluations performed by state contractors should be directed to the appropriate state agency.”
Arthur J. DaRosa
The family members didn’t specify what DaRosa’s illness was, but said he went by ambulance to the hospital Monday evening, and was released after 4 a.m. Tuesday. They called it a “breakdown.”
“They did not treat him for what his sickness was or his mental illness,” Liz DaRosa said. “They treated him for something else.”
Family members said they didn’t know what made DaRosa snap and go from watching his child’s soccer practice, to speeding down a Taunton street, then trying to get into houses and stab people.
The family criticized those “bashing” DaRosa, and apologized to those he hurt.
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