When Patrick Williams was 4-years-old, his mother, Juanita Grey, said he suffered a head injury after falling three stories from an apartment in West Tampa.

Since that time, Ms. Grey said she’s tried to get help for her ailing son, but hasn’t been successful.

Williams, now 38, has been missing since April 25th, and Ms. Grey said she fears something may have happened to him, or she fears law enforcement officers may harm him.

“I’ve been trying for years to get him help, but I think they only see him as a criminal, and not a young man with serious mental issues. I think he gets overlooked because of his criminal background. He’s been on medication, but it makes him worse because it’s too strong. I’ve also been denied the right to be his caretaker.”

Ms. Grey said on April 25th, her son went for a walk and she hasn’t seen him since. She also said she’s alerted police, and filed a missing person’s report.

“I don’t expect the police to actually look for him, unless he breaks the law again. I just want them to listen to me when I try to tell them that he doesn’t know what’ he’s doing and he needs help.”

Ms. Grey said Patrick doesn’t communicate well with others, so you may not realize he has a mental problem.

“The only time anyone pays attention to him is when he acts out, or does something unlawful. He has a mental health history and has been in several mental health institutions, but all they do is let him out on medication. They don’t really help him and the system is keeping me from helping him.”

Ms. Grey said she hopes her son is found before something tragic happens.

If anyone has seen Patrick Williams, please contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130.

Reporter Leon B. Crews can be reached at (813) 248-0724, or e-mailed at lcrews@flsentinel.com.