Daher at his arraignment hearing.

DEARBORN — The family of 20-year-old Alaa Daher, the Dearborn man who was arrested for stabbing his 9-year-old brother multiple times Monday, is blaiming the mental facility where he had been seeking treatment for discharging him. Daher had been staying at the Stonecrest Behavioral Health and Inpatient Treatment Center in Detroit for two weeks. He was discharged just hours before stabbing his brother. 

“He’s not mentally stable
to be out roaming in the streets,” said a cousin who resides in the home where
the stabbing took place. “Prior to that he was physically harming himself. He
wasn’t mentally stable at that point. He was only in there for a time span of
two weeks, so it doesn’t make any sense. They should be held somewhat
accountable for not giving him the proper treatment that he needs.”

The family claimed the
treatment center gave them an evaluation report which stated Daher was a harm
to himself and others, yet he was released to go home shortly afterwards. Daher
had stayed at the facility during two separate occasions.

Daher was arraigned in the
19th District Court on Wednesday, October 21 in front of Judge Mark Somers on a
charge of assault with intent to murder. Family and friends were present.

The attack occurred at
7756 Steadman in east Dearborn on Monday at around 6:45 p.m. Shortly
after his arrival, Daher and his younger brother Omran went into the garage to
grab a football. Daher then allegedly stabbed Omran several times. A wounded
and blood-soaked Omran ran out of the garage and into the house to seek help.

A family member called the
police. Daher was found pacing the neighborhood when police arrived at the
scene.

Omran is in stable
condition and being treated at a local hospital for 13 stab wounds. He was
stabbed in the back, on his face and near his eye.

Daher displayed bizarre
behavior during his time in the courtroom. When Judge Somers asked him if he
understood what it meant to murder somebody, Daher replied, “I’m not
familiar”, a sentence he would repeat numerous times during the hearing.

Dasher’s mugshot taken on Monday, October 19.

Prosecutor Leah Bronson
said Daher was a danger to society, recommending that Somers place his bond at
$1 million with no 10 percent bail. Somers complied with her request, setting
the next hearing for Friday, October 30.

Before being escorted back
to his jail cell, Daher told Judge Somers, “you got the wrong guy.”

If his family were to come
up with the bail amount, Daher would be forbidden from returning to his
residence or going near his younger brother or coming in contact with him.

The case is expected to be referred to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Daher’s mental instability is expected to play a key role with the defense, although family members said he still hasn’t obtained an attorney. 

Following the hearing, Daher’s family members appeared emotionally torn. Mariam Elbazzal, another cousin, told The Arab American News that they are concerned Daher hasn’t received proper representation since his arrest.

“We came down to court expecting something out of them, but there was nothing,” Elbazzal said. “He has schizophrenia and nobody wants to give him the attention that he needs. That’s why we are at this point right now. He is not getting the proper treatment.”

The family also said Daher had a difficult time at the treatment center. At one point he had to be sedated in order to sleep. 

“Alaa used to tell us they used to put him to sleep,” his cousin said. “He wasn’t even aware of what medicine they were giving him. He said they used to hit him and force him to take medication.”

During his time out of the behavioral clinic, Daher also had some disputes with a neighbor. Although many residents on the block described him as a kind guy who mostly kept to himself.

The family said Omran still loves his older brother and hasn’t fully grasped the incident. He understands that his brother needs medical attention and that the altercation was out of his character.

“He knows he was stabbed, but he is not angry with him,” the cousin said. “He is aware of his mental state. He still loves his brother and he wants him to get treated.”

Daher’s case fueled discussions across the Arab American community on mental health. Often a taboo topic, some locals were distraught that a family conflict had spiraled into a public discussion.

Other residents combated that argument by using the case as an opportunity to shed light on a topic that is often brushed off by parents in the Arab American community. 

“Some people in this community refuse to take about it, admit it or are embarrassed to even seek help with having mental health disorders,” said Samantha Elkassouf on Facebook. “But to strengthen this community we must strengthen our weaknesses. We have had multiple suicides, murder, domestic abuse, depression and etc. We, as a community, need to raise awareness of mental health and help those who are in need of the help the most.”