Jameelah Robinson, a 43-year-old African American mother of 3 from Los Angeles, was found living in a storm drain after years of struggling with drugs and mental health issues. Her family recognized her from a news report and is now calling on authorities to step in with stronger support.
Robinson’s mother, Linda, said her daughter has lived in similar conditions before and has long battled addiction. She added that past attempts to get her into treatment did not move forward through the courts because Robinson was able to refuse help.
Her sister, Kameelah, only learned about the situation after a friend sent her a news report showing Robinson inside the storm drain. According to Fox LA, the footage showed a tight underground space filled with trash and human waste, along with a strong odor coming from the area.
After the report aired, city crews moved in quickly. Hazardous materials teams declared the area a “hot zone,” and within 48 hours, workers sealed the storm drain with asphalt. Outreach workers also tried to approach Robinson and offer assistance, but she walked away.
The family is now asking for more decisive intervention. Linda said her daughter is not in a condition to make safe decisions, while Kameelah questioned how officials would respond if it involved their own relatives. They continue to look for Robinson and push for her to receive care.
Robinson was once known for her singing, and the family shared old videos to show how different her life used to be. “Maybe now I can get the help I need and she needs,” Linda said. “I want to tell her, I love you, Jameelah. I’m here speaking on your behalf, and I’m not giving up on you,” Kameelah added.
SOURCE: blacknews.com