Rants & Raves: Readers react to not guilty by reason of insanity ruling, pit bull attack

Dealing with mental illness in adult children can be heartbreaking and frustrating. The resources just aren't there sometimes. I pray for your family and hope people think before they post. Dana Unrue-Evans

Hope he gets the help that he needs. I have lived with a paranoid schizophrenic before. It is a very sad disease, especially when they don't take their medicine. I am glad the system is helping him. They didn't help my family. Mistee Mcclain

It's so tragic and I can't even begin to imagine what you all have been through and will continue to go through. There are no words that can take your pain away -- just know that you are loved and we are here if we can help you in any way! Sending hugs! Debbie Rhinehart Plummer

I am so relieved that he will have a chance to get the help he needs instead of being placed in a jail cell for something that was out of his control. Angelica Cortes

I'm sorry this happened. I hope they're able to find some effective treatment for him, and he's able to help himself once he has that foundation. Best of luck to him, and your family. David Petty

Well I'm sorry it went this far ... but I'm glad he's getting the help he so needs! Kacithia J Jones

My heart aches for your family. ... May he receive the treatment needed. Andrea Shannon-Dellers

On Bluffton's Lee Jean advancing to the Hollywood round on "American Idol":

Great talent. Great representative of Bluffton and South Carolina. His thoughts on his older brother were so warm, they definitely were reflected in that performance. Can't wait to see/hear more of what he has to show that is stored up in who he is. Michael Henry Smith

He's got my vote! His voice is absolutely beautiful. ... He should be very proud of himself. God bless and good luck! Heather Criddle-Cook

Congratulations to Lee! Loved his performance. Hope to see him continue to advance. Linda Keller

That's my friend's baby brother. Go Lee! Natasha Jerry Gosselin

First Beaufort and now someone from the town I grew up in. Let's go B-Town! Bernard Taylor

Rooting for you, Lee! Helen Teague Masters

Looking forward to this exemplary young man's success! Jeanie Thompson

On pitbulls that killed a 9-year-old boy:

Who cares what breed of dog they were? Who leaves a 9 year old home alone with three dogs? Especially unaltered dogs? Kerri Cogen

Being altered only prevents a dog from reproduction, it does not prevent aggression. Melinda Vinson

Never, ever, ever leave children alone with any dog. Not saying it happened in this case, but I have seen good children tease dogs. I have seen children told to stay away from dogs get right up in their face. I'm saying all dogs will bite. I got a bad bite from a Pekingese once. Sheri Brown

Well, the thing to notice is the two younger dogs were in a crate (kennel) when she left. They can't get out themselves so someone let them out. Pitbulls are not monsters. Gavin Sanders

OK, before I even read this I thought pitbull ... sorry I just don't understand why people trust this breed. Patti Holma

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: Readers react to not guilty by reason of insanity ruling, pit bull attack."