Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Instead of appearing in court for a brutal assault, a Rochester teenager may soon be on his way to a state mental health treatment center.

18-year-old Mahad Aziz was arrested Friday after attacking his 74-year-old father in their apartment. The victim lost both eyes and most of his teeth in the assault.

The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has prepared a criminal case against Aziz but Senior Assistant Attorney Geoffrey Hjerleid says he anticipates the teenager will be civilly committed due to his severe mental illness.

Hjerleid says Aziz was to undergo a mental health evaluation Tuesday. He says the results will determine what happens next. Hjerleid says his office has already prepared a commitment petition, which could be reviewed by a judge as soon as Wednesday.

Geoff Hjerleid
Geoff Hjerleid
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If Aziz is committed as a mentally ill and dangerous person, it’s expected he would remain in a secure facility until he no longer needs treatment. It’s possible he may never be prosecuted for the assault if it’s determined he was so mentally at the time, he was not aware of his behavior.

Hjerleid says the attack apparently came after the teen’s father decided to get him to a hospital for treatment of his mental illness. A neighbor had agreed to give them a ride and when he arrived at their apartment, he could hear the assault inside the unit and called police.

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