A Scranton man recently released from a mental health facility tried to stab his mother with a pair of scissors on Thursday, police said.
Officers charged Brendan Mizok, 28, with terroristic threats and harassment.
Police responded to an address in the 900 block of Birch Street for a reported physical domestic incident and were informed by dispatchers the suspect fled. When they arrived, the victim, Allyson Kerrigan, informed officers the suspect was her son, Mizok, whom officers detained.
She told police Mizok was released from a mental health facility five days ago, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She said she feared he wasn’t well enough to be home with her, according to a criminal complaint.
Since he was home, Mizok has not been taking the prescribed medication and has been very controlling, making her fearful for her own safety, Kerrigan told police. He also didn’t allow her to bathe, use the bathroom or leave the house, officers said in the complaint.
That morning, Kerrigan told Mizok she was going to stay with her parents and he became agitated, grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed them into the wall near where she was standing, according to the complaint. He told Kerrigan she would not be leaving the house. She called 911 and left the house on foot.
Kerrigan told police she truly believed he was going to kill her and, if he was not arrested, believed he would attempt to harm her again. Officers gave her information about obtaining a protection from abuse order and recommended that she apply for a 302 warrant while he was in custody to get him the mental health treatment he needs.
After he was arrested, Mizok told officers his mother was the one arguing with him and that she was the one that wouldn’t let him leave the house.
Magisterial District Judge Paul Keeler arraigned Mizok Thursday and set $15,000 bail, which he was unable to post. Mizok is being held at the Lackawanna County Prison, with a preliminary hearing Aug. 24.