As you point out in other posts, people expect the government to "do something," and so they don't take common sense actions themselves ... like restraining a woman who says she's going to feed three children to the sharks!
Now it's true, I've been known to say that I'm going to take the baby and the credit cards and head for the airport, but I'm NOT known to be off my schizophrenia meds :-).
Well, I've said much the same myself. I'm a gonna buy a Harley and head west (I'm in the East). When I see the Pacific, I'll head south until I see the Gulf. Then I'll head north...
you get the picture ;)
You would be shocked to know the level of freedom a certified mental patient has. The best case if these folks should've reported her to the authorities as being a "danger to others" with the threats she was making about her children and being offer her medications. She could've been checked into a local hospital or mental institution temporarily and forced back on meds if she could be certified.