In a recent development, Onijah Andrew Robinson, a 33-year-old American woman who traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, in search of a romantic partner she met online, has been admitted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) due to concerns about her mental health.
Robinson arrived in Karachi in October 2024, intending to meet a 19-year-old Pakistani individual with whom she had developed an online relationship. Upon arrival, she was reportedly abandoned by the individual, leaving her stranded in an unfamiliar city. Subsequently, she refused to return to the United States, expressing a desire to remain in Pakistan and reportedly demanding $3,000 per week to support herself.
Her situation garnered significant media attention when she caused a disturbance at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, refusing to board a flight back to the U.S. This incident led to interventions from local authorities and non-governmental organizations attempting to assist her.
Concerns about Robinson’s mental health arose after her son, Jeremiah Andrew Robinson, released a video statement revealing that his mother suffers from cognitive impairments and is mentally unstable. He mentioned that she was supposed to return to the U.S. two weeks after her arrival in Pakistan, but she did not. Despite purchasing a return ticket for her, she refused to use it.
Following these revelations, Robinson was transferred to JPMC’s Department of Psychiatry for evaluation. Reports indicate that she has been speaking incoherently and exhibiting physical symptoms such as swelling in her hands and feet. Medical professionals at JPMC are conducting a thorough examination to assess her condition and determine appropriate treatment.
This case highlights the complexities that can arise from online relationships and underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals facing such challenges in foreign environments.
