The Celtics were trying to help Jabari Bird seek treatment for mental health issues before he was arrested on assault charges, the Boston Herald reported, citing sources.
According to the source, Bird was dealing with "panic attacks and things like that. It wasn’t a long-term thing, but everyone knew. The Celtics knew there was something going on and he was being treated.”
Bird was arrested after a Sept. 7 incident involving his girlfriend. He is accused of holding her captive for four hours, trying to strangle her and kicking her in the stomach. However, Bird was already dealing with multiple issues before the reported assault.
“This wasn’t one of the domestic-violence situations you usually see where someone gets jealous for one thing and loses control," another source said. "There was something deeper going on here with (Bird). This was a bad situation.”
Bird was arraigned and held on a $50,000 bond last Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Between the time of the incident and his arraignment, Bird was kept in a different hospital from where the woman was being treated. It was later revealed he was undergoing psychiatric evaluations.
New details from the police report revealed that the woman was able to escape his apartment after Bird passed out from "seizure-like symptoms." He then reportedly texted her to come back to the apartment or else he would kill himself.
Police were prepared to break into Bird's apartment if he didn't answer, believing he was a threat to others and himself. However, he answered the door and surrendered to authorities.
After the alleged attack the Celtics released a statement saying they were aware of the charges against Bird and were gathering more information.
