MOTHER OF ARSON SUSPECT REQUESTED INVOLUNTARY MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION DAYS BEFORE FIRE

The mother of the arson suspect at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence reportedly asked for an involuntary mental health evaluation days before the fire.  Penbrook Police said Christie Balmer called Crisis Intervention last week about her son Cody, but was told he did not meet the threshold for an involuntary evaluation.  She also reportedly contacted officers two days before the arson, reporting that her son was “irritable and agitated,” had stopped taking his medication a year ago, and suddenly left their house.  The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office says the case is being investigated as a possible hate crime.