TRAVERSE CITY — It's been more than a week since state troopers found a Garfield Township family of four dead in an apparent murder-suicide, but officials remain tight-lipped about whether the parents' long history of mental health issues prompted concerns for the family's children before the tragedy.
"Behavioral difficulties" shared by Jeffrey Mendenhall, 54, and Tamisha Mendenhall, 34, are a primary focus of an ongoing state police probe into their deaths and those of their children, Thomas, 6, and Olivia, 3, said Michigan State Police Lt. Kip Belcher.
Community members recalled the Mendenhall family as tight-knit, cheerful and active in Thomas' school. But records show both Jeffrey and Tamisha Mendenhall showed past suicidal behavior and were involuntary hospitalized for treatment.
What's unclear is whether those difficulties led authorities to report concerns about the children's safety inside the 844 Shady Lane mobile home where state troopers on Aug. 13 found the family dead. Belcher said Friday he didn't know if Children's Protective Services ever opened a case involving the Mendenhalls.
"I don't know where my detectives are at with that, and to what extent they'll explore that issue," Belcher said.
CPS officials denied a Freedom of Information Act request for any records involving the Mendenhall family, citing exemptions under Michigan's Child Protection Law. Agency spokeswoman Maura Campbell said state law restricted her from saying whether CPS investigated the family.
"I can't tell you one way or another," she said.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Cooney said it would make sense for investigators to look into any contacts the Mendenhalls had with CPS or any other agencies.
"I think we all want to know if there’s more that could have been done somewhere down the line," he said.
State law mandates that individuals employed in a host of professions — ranging from physicians and nurses, to teachers, school counselors and law enforcement — must immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to CPS, and must follow up the initial report with a written report within 72 hours.
But parental mental health issues alone don't necessarily mean CPS will open an investigation. That's why Grand Traverse County sheriff's deputies didn't contact CPS in three different "suicidal subject" cases dating back to 2008 that involved the Mendenhall parents.
Undersheriff Nate Alger said deputies didn't note any direct danger to the children in any case. He said mental health issues can be distressing for children, but not rise to high standards CPS sets to open an investigation.
"We don't do CPS referrals on every event like that unless there's an immediate and obvious threat to the child's health," he said.
Alger called what happened in the Mendenhall home a "horrible event" that likely will prompt reflection by local officials and service providers on what more could have been done.
"We're certainly going to have a discussion about how did we respond to these cases and did we respond appropriately?" he said.
Belcher said detectives will continue looking at the Mendenhalls' past behavior while they wait for forensic results to return.
"The focus is still continuing to conduct interviews with associates, coworkers, friends, and family," he said.
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Though I guess if you know where the artery is located and have a sharp blade, it could be a pretty quick death (1-1/2 to 2 minutes). The femoral is a major artery, cutting it creates a major gusher.
