By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 35-year-old Stann Creek resident walked free from the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after spending 10 months on remand awaiting a psychiatric evaluation that was never conducted.
Francis Simon Flores Jr., a herbalist, farmer, and wine maker of Santa Clara Village, was released after pleading guilty to a theft charge. Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison sentenced him to four months imprisonment but ruled that the time he had already spent behind bars was sufficient, effectively setting him free shortly after midday.
Flores Jr. had been on remand since May 2025 after initially pleading guilty to stealing items valued at $105 from his neighbor, Luz Marina Garay. The items included a plastic ice box and a pair of tennis shoes. However, his plea was not accepted at the time, as the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation after concerns about his mental health. That evaluation was never carried out.
In court, Magistrate Dennison noted the lack of a government-employed psychiatrist and the uncertainty surrounding when such an evaluation could be completed. After speaking with Flores Jr., the magistrate determined he was fit to plead and accepted his guilty plea, bringing the matter to a close.
Outside the courtroom, Flores Jr. described the outcome as “bitter sweet,” saying he felt victimized by the system. He announced plans to pursue legal action against both the Ministry of Health and the Belize Prison Department, alleging violations of his constitutional rights.
Flores Jr. claims that during his incarceration, he was pepper sprayed six times after refusing medication he did not want to take. He further alleged that he was forcibly medicated despite his objections and that his health deteriorated significantly while in custody. According to him, poor diet and lack of proper medical care contributed to weight gain and worsening mobility issues stemming from a prior ankle injury.
The Hopkins resident also spoke of the personal toll of his time in prison, including missing his child’s primary school graduation. He maintained that he did not intend to steal the items but had borrowed them from his neighbor while seeking medical assistance after being assaulted.
Flores Jr., who says he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and later bipolar disorder, also noted his role as president of the Dangriga Mental Health Consumer Group prior to his incarceration.
He exited court in a wheelchair, assisted by court staff, stating that his physical condition had worsened during his time in prison.
The post Schizophrenic bipolar former President of Dangriga Mental Health group who spent 10 months in jail waiting for psych evaluation that never happened pleads guilty to theft but freed for time served; plans to sue GOB after claims he was forced to take meds, pepper sprayed and gained weight in jail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 35-year-old Stann Creek resident walked free from the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after spending 10 months on remand awaiting a psychiatric evaluation that was never conducted. Francis Simon Flores Jr., a herbalist, farmer, and wine maker of Santa Clara Village, was released after pleading guilty to a
The post Schizophrenic bipolar former President of Dangriga Mental Health group who spent 10 months in jail waiting for psych evaluation that never happened pleads guilty to theft but freed for time served; plans to sue GOB after claims he was forced to take meds, pepper sprayed and gained weight in jail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.