The mother of Decarlos Brown Jr. has broken her silence after her son was charged with murder. Brown, 34, allegedly stabbed 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska several times on a North Carolina train on August 22.

His mother, Michelle Dewitt, said the family had begged for help as Brown’s schizophrenia worsened. “He shouldn’t have been released,” she told the New York Post, referring to his January arrest where he was freed on a written promise to appear in court.

Michelle said she recently took her son to a homeless shelter after he became aggressive at home. When she asked for mental health treatment, she was told there was no space unless he was suicidal or violent. She insisted her son is “not racist,” claiming he believed someone was controlling him with a chip in his brain.

Federal prosecutors have charged Brown with murder on a mass transportation system, and the death penalty is being considered. This case raises urgent questions about mental health care and public safety.