Robin Haider

(1/9/01)

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled today against a Florida mother whose 17-year-old son was found dead in a park as he was supposed to leave for class the previous day.

According to court papers, the son, Michael Haider, attended an off-campus party at a private residence at the Coral Gables Apartments on Dec. 23. He said he wasn’t feeling well and decided to end his semester early for the holidays.

One of a host of alcoholics and drug users who lived at the facility, Michael was found unconscious in the park early Thursday that day. He was later found dead, wrapped in a blanket with his belongings in a blue plastic carrier bag nearby.

Michael Haider’s mother, Leann R. Haider, told police that her son had a history of drug use and dependence.

The family has requested mental health counseling and medical records. Leann Haider told police before Michael died that he had said he could not stay longer and had threatened to harm her, according to court documents.

In a statement issued by police, Coral Gables police Chief Brian Hoeffel described the circumstances surrounding the death as “tragic.”

“While we are mourning such a tragedy, we also will be making sure that the criminal justice system uses every available resource to help these families find justice,” Hoeffel said.