Exclusive: Family urges mental health care for Lee County woman after arrest

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - An intense law enforcement response in Bonita Springs culminated in a Lee County woman being taken into custody on Saturday.

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Ciara Smith's family is speaking exclusively with WINK News, revealing that the incident was not a crime spree but a mental health crisis.

Ciara Smith's father, Wakefield Smith, shared that the arrest shattered their family, which was already struggling to find mental health support.

"These people out here are crying for help, yesterday was a cry for help," said Wakefield Smith.

He explained that his daughter has a long history of mental illness and a deep fear of law enforcement, which he believes escalated the situation. Wakefield Smith mentioned that Ciara Smith has spent years in and out of jail, a cycle he says has worsened her condition.

"She's super bad, sick and incarceration does nothing for her. She's been incarcerated for the last three years, and shouldn't have been put there in the first place, and now she's terrified of law enforcement," said Wakefield Smith.

Dustin Winters, a childhood friend, rushed to the scene when deputies called him, hoping he could help calm Ciara down.

"It's sad. It all could have been avoided. I got calls while all this was happening because they thought that I was really the only person that she would let inside the house. And then when I got here, they wouldn't let me anywhere near the house," said Winters.

Wkefield Smith emphasized that the situation was one of desperation, not violence.

"I mean, my daughter, I love her very much. She's a very loving person and sad, very sad. Get her some help the community. If the community is listening, reach out and get this person help, because this person deserves help," said Wakefield Smith.

Ciara Smith remains in custody, and her father is now fighting against a system he believes leaves families with nowhere to turn when mental illness reaches a breaking point. The family is seeking accountability and a different approach to mental health crises.