Maria Macias pulled into a parking space at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Norwalk. She had come from Gardena and found herself praying for strength during the drive.
“It is too easy to fall into the sadness of it all,” she said, “too easy to hide and not face every day.”
On the seat next to her was a six-page petition asking the court to provide a treatment plan for her husband, whose schizophrenia and drug use endangered his life and had left them estranged.
For at least 20 years, Macias said, she has lived with the fear, uncertainty and sorrow occasioned by his mental illness. Although they are not divorced, their marriage in effect ended when she had to file a restraining order to keep him from harassing her and their three sons.
But on Dec. 1, the day CARE Court opened in Los Angeles County , she believed their lives might change.