GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County mother has critical injuries after her son allegedly stabbed her several times with a large knife.
Clayton Kirk is accused of stabbing his mother with a foot-long knife last week. When he appeared before a judge Monday, he didn’t seem to understand why he was behind bars.
Channel 2’s Tony Thomas spoke exclusively with the family who said they have tried for years to get help for him.
“Every time we talk to him the first thing he asks us is ‘Is Mom okay?’ He is in tears. ‘How bad did I hurt her?’” said Kenya Kirk, Clayton’s sister.
Kenya Kirk and father Ron Kirk said Clayton has diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia. Against the family’s wishes, he was released from a hospital just one day before the attack.
“She would call me in tears saying, ‘Kiki, what are we going to do?’” said Kenya Kirk.
Authorities said the knife sliced though vital organs. Sheila Kirk has already lost one kidney, and the family says other organs are shutting down.
Investigators said after the attack Clayton Kirk hid in a closet while Sheila Kirk ran for help.
“It was terrible. There was such an ugly trail of blood all the way from the circle to my front door,” said a neighbor.
“We got his version of the events, about him being upset with his mother, but we are waiting to get her side,” said Duluth police Officer Bobby Johnson.
The Kirk family is now splitting time, watching over their critically wounded mother in the hospital, and worrying about their son and brother behind bars.
“We have known for some time that there was some potential here,” said Ron Kirk.
Clayton Kirk will be back in court Tuesday morning.