The recent ruling by Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas has determined that Waldo Mejia, the man accused of randomly stabbing 14-year-old Caleb Rijos to death in the Bronx earlier this year, is unfit to stand trial. Mejia, 29, has been sent back to a psychiatric facility where he will remain until he is deemed fit to face trial for the murder of the teenage boy.
The tragic incident occurred on January 10th when Rijos was on his way to school and Mejia allegedly stabbed him in the chest on East 138th Street. As the young boy lay dying, he managed to call his father and utter the heartbreaking words, “I can’t breathe.” The senseless act of violence shocked the community and left Rijos’ family and friends devastated.
Mejia, who has a history of mental illness and a lengthy criminal record, was apprehended the following day and charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Prior to Rijos’ murder, Mejia had reportedly attacked a subway passenger at a nearby station, leaving the victim with a severe arm laceration. Additionally, he had been involved in altercations with neighbors, including destroying a Ring camera and breaking into their home.
Despite these troubling incidents, Mejia was released back onto the streets after being charged for the neighbor’s camera attack. This decision sparked outrage from Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who criticized the criminal justice system for failing to prevent further harm. Mejia’s behavior in court further raised concerns about his mental state, as he went on a disturbing rant about Satan and threatened those present.
In light of these events, the judge presiding over Mejia’s case ordered a psychiatric evaluation and ruled that he is currently unfit to stand trial. The decision to send Mejia back to a psychiatric facility underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system and ensuring that individuals receive the care they need. The community continues to mourn the loss of Caleb Rijos and seeks justice for the senseless tragedy that took his life.
