# Mental Health System Failed Woman Accused of Killing 7-Year-Old

> Chicago public defender says mental health system failed Shavon Gayden, who stabbed 7-year-old Eddimar Hernández Chacón.
- Title: Mental Health System Failed Woman Accused of Killing…
- Summary: Chicago public defender says mental health system failed Shavon Gayden, who stabbed 7-year-old Eddimar Hernández Chacón. Shavon Gayden, 48, was hospitalized…
- Keywords: shavon gayden, eddmar hernandez chacón, public defender, mental health, chicago, healthcare system, stabbing, child victim, news, local, Mental, Health
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/10/08/el-sistema-de-salud-mental-le-fallo-a-la-mujer-acusada-de-apunalar-mortalmente-a-una-nina
- Published: 2026-10-08T20:49:57.606+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shavon gayden, eddmar hernandez chacón, public defender, mental health, chicago, healthcare system, stabbing, child victim, news, local
## Mental Health System Failure
Shavon Gayden, 48, was hospitalized repeatedly for mental health issues but received inadequate care before stabbing Eddimar Hernández Chacón, a 7-year-old boy, in Chicago.

> Shavon Gayden no se coló por las grietas de un sistema funcional
## Public Defender's Statement
Public defender Brett Balmer said Gayden's mental health treatment was insufficient and the stabbing could have been avoided with better care.

> Todo esto se pudo haber evitado
## Stabbing Details
Gayden stabbed Eddimar Hernández Chacón, 7, with a knife on Saturday near Cottage Grove Avenue in Chatham, Chicago.
## Prior Violence History
Gayden had a history of random violent attacks, including once attacking a CTA bus driver and once an shelter employee before being charged with murder.
## Court Proceedings
Gayden was reprogrammed from Monday to Wednesday court date after being hospitalized again, with a new hearing scheduled for Friday.
## Mental Health Evaluation
Public defender Brett Balmer requested a mental health evaluation for Gayden before her Friday court hearing and access to medical records from up to 10 hospitals.
## Family Impact
Gayden's mother expressed devastation over the incident, saying if her daughter had received the help she tried to get, the tragedy would not have happened.
## Fundraising for Victim
Eddimar's uncle launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised 16,000 dollars by Wednesday morning for funeral expenses and a dignified send-off.
## Public Defender's Concern
Public defender Brett Balmer emphasized the need for mental health services in Chicago, stating the problem would not go away without action.
## Key takeaway

Shavon Gayden, 48, was hospitalized repeatedly for mental health issues but received inadequate care before stabbing Eddimar Hernández Chacón, a 7-year-old boy, in Chicago.