Mother: Robbery Suspect Received Poor Care from Atlanta VA

The mother of an Iraq war veteran accused of beating and robbing an elderly man said she believes the Atlanta VA Medical Center did not properly treat her son's post-war mental disorder.

Sy Smith was charged this week with assaulting a Korean War veteran and stealing his car. He was treated at the medical center for post-traumatic stress disorder following a suicide attempt, according to wsbtv.com.

From the story, which includes a video report:

“When they let him out, they gave him a bag full of drugs and said, ‘Here, take these.’ Which he didn’t do properly,” Smith’s mother said.

Smith’s victim, 79-year-old Jack Wilson, is still bruised from the brutal attack. Police said Smith attacked Wilson at his own mailbox and beat him before stealing Wilson’s car.

Wilson also uses the VA medical center. He said the center needs improvement, but he is not ready to excuse Smith’s actions.

“I’ve been hit in the head. I lost part of my brain. I’m not doing this. I’m not attacking people,” Wilson said.

Read the full wsbtv.com story for more information.

The report comes days after a federal audit criticized the medical center for mismanagement of its patients.