A Staunton woman is running out of options to find help for her mentally ill son.

Julie Irvine says she hasn't slept much this holiday. Her nine-year-old son Gabe is all she thinks about. He suffers from depression and pervasive development disorder, which is a form of autism.

He's currently being treated at the Commonwealth's Center for Children and Adolescents, but the center is being forced to close soon due to budget cuts and she doesn't know where to turn.

Irvine says, "We just started reaching out for help, because we don't know what to do for him and it doesn't seem anybody else does either."

The state's plan is to send kids from the center, like Gabe, to private facilities across the state after the center closes. However, Irvine says she's tried the private sector and they can no longer take Gabe because of his violent nature and attempts at suicide.

She says, "This puts Gabe back at home, which puts him back with me, which puts him out with you all. I mean this put's him out with your kids. Gabe is a good kid, but this is something we have to get help for him right now."

After a discussion, her health care provider suggested Irvine make a difficult decision.

Irvine says, "He said that I had to tell them that I will not take him home. I was basically giving up my rights, and I've heard this from a couple people that that's the only way to get him help."

It's not something she wants to hear and she says it's something she may not be able to do.

Irvine adds, "Giving up your child is not an answer. It should never be an answer."

She says she wouldn't know how to afford putting Gabe in a private facility, and if she had to bring him home, her worst fear is that he would hurt himself or someone else.