Macomb County to consider settling lawsuit by, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Macomb County to consider settling lawsuit by fired morgue employee, Not again. Struckel, who worked in the field for over 20 years, was fired in September 2020 after three days on the job because she says she reported about 10 violations, including employees not being fit tested for N95 masks worn during autopsies, lack of annual TB testing of employees, lack of radiation monitors during dental x-rays, no training for proper disposal of needles and clinical waste and staff wearing contaminated scrubs home from the morgue, according to the amended complaint filed in December 2020. A man working for a company contracted by the Wayne County morgue is accused of breaking into a home of a deceased person he reportedly helped transport the day prior. ", Later that day, the investigator went to the conference room and saw the cake was still on the counter, covered by a brown paper towel. She moved her desk andvolunteered to work weekends to avoid contact with the employees. The prosecutor also said Hayden had received $15,000 in jobless benefits in four months plus food stamps and cash assistance from the state. County medical examiner. All of this was part of the office decor, her complaint alleges. The Macomb County morgue is buriedin scandalinvolving allegationsof all sorts: Employeesmocked Blacks inquiring about loved ones' deaths, hung pornographyin the office, bullied women who complained and recently brought in a birthdaycake frosted with male genitalia artfor fun, according to a formal complaint. They'll just say they were upset,' " states the complaint. 200,000 lose power as snowstorm blankets Detroit region, St. Mary student to compete in her fourth Macomb County Regional Spelling Bee, Macomb County prepares for inclement weather, Warren man charged with 2nd-degree murder in Royal Oak womans death, Ford to raise production as US auto sales start to recover, Man arraigned in Warren Dollar General robberies, Lorenzo Cultural Centers new program series highlights post-WWII societal change presentations, performances and exhibits, Macomb Sheriff switches motorcycle unit from Harley-Davidson to BMW, SE Michigan under winter storm warning; 6-8 inches of snow expected, Warren man charged with 2nd-degree murder in Royal Oak woman's death, Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several Macomb County cities, Sterling Heights mom has spent months looking for son, Ray Twp. Prescription drugs were being brought to the medical examiners property room alongside bodies -- for example, if a death was being investigated as a possible overdose. (CBS DETROIT) - Two Macomb County workers are charged after stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. Details of a proposed deal are not provided in meeting documents. "The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office does not investigate and does not try cases in the media. Jocelyn Fetting, 32, is accused of. The Free Press has agreed to withhold the employee's name at this time because of the nature of the complaint and her concerns about retaliation. They discovered minimal oversight of the evidence room and the chain of custody for items, often drugs, taken from death scenes, officials said. 43585 Elizabeth Road, Mt. The prior contract was for $1.7 million. Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner (Clinton, MI - 19.5 miles) . Regarding the new allegations, sheriffs investigators a few months ago followed up on a report of the missing pills. A death investigator at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office filed a July 18 complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the explicit cake an off-duty staffer.. Find 24 listings related to Macomb County Morgue in Adair on YP.com. "I have witnessed co-workers crying at their desks, crying in the parking lot, and crying in the bathroom of the building," her complaint states. The death investigator says multiple people have complained about the "unprofessional decorum" in the past, but to no avail. Man Threatens To Shoot Up Macomb Co. McDonald's: Sheriff, Clinton Township Woman Injured In Detroit Freeway Shooting: Police, Clinton Township Woman Steals Money From Senior Care Trust Fund: AG, Pre-Planning Seminar with Resurrection Cemetery, Detroit Mercy's Antoine Davis Falls Just Short Of NCAA Record, Pandemic Emergency Food Stamp Benefits End For 1.3M In Michigan, When Will It Feel Like Spring In MI: Farmers Almanac Outlook, 3 Open Houses For You In The Clinton Township Area. The county sheriff's office conducted a . institut dsw - News - macomb county morgue death. Spitz took over the medical examiner role in the mid-2000s, following in the footsteps of his well-known father, Dr. Werner Spitz. Posted: April 16, 2021. The next day, the person who made the cake approached the investigator, asking, "Did you try my cake?". Kaiyanni Jones, who was 1 year and 11 . The next day, the cake was still there andthe complainant asked a supervisor if the cake was really decorated with a black penis. Struckel initially complained to Spitz and then to Ridella and McKinnon. According to the complainant, there have been "blatant and overt racist communications" among a supervisor and other employees who are all part of the sameoffice clique. That is not funny.". 2023 FOX Television Stations, allege they stole drugs from people at the morgue, The heaviest snow is behind us heading into the weekend, Snow storm shuts down Detroit Metro Airport, Power outages hit Metro Detroit hard as winter storm pounds area, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond talks with Detroit Titans guard Antoine Davis after coming up just short of the NCAA all-time scoring record, Suspect still wanted after brutal beating of victims after they shoveled his snow last winter in Detroit, Inside the Paint Bus - an art studio on wheels born in Detroit, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, New 5G cell tower on Wyandotte elemntary school has parents livid as meeting turns hostile, Southeast Michigan weather: The latest totals and what to expect tonight. If you would like to subscribe for text alerts please select Text Updates in the drop-down menu. A death investigator at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office filed a July 18 complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the explicit cake an off-duty staffer . And to prevent this from happening again, the sheriff's office will take custody of medical inventory going forward because they have a better inventory process. Phone: (323) 343-0512. was a question she often heard when dealing with upset families, she said. "I find this conduct and these statements offensive and appalling," states the complaint, which also alleges numerous sexual harassment incidents. U.S. District Judge Terreance Berg wrote In his 2021 ruling to dismiss the public-policy claim but maintain the free speech and whistleblower protection claims that Spitzs exact role was not clear but that he did have some influence in decision-making at the time of Struckels firing. Morgue employees often. A pathologist who studies the cause and effects of disease and injury, then gathers specimens of the organs and body fluids for testing. Hackel and Wickersham declined to provide the specific kind of drug, the amount that was taken or when it happened. Be that as it may, as stated you are not considered fully vaccinated which is a primary vaccination series less than 270 days ago or a . The area the county should look at is the chain of command that oversees the Medical Examiners Office, which falls under the county Health Department. According to McKinnon, the current investigation does not involvechief Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who is a contract employee with the county. Another one alleging similar claims was filed in 2016 and is still pending. Fetting and Kettlewell were arraigned in 41B District Court and each received a $5,000 personal bond. Three employees at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's office have been fired amid an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and racism. Kettlewell is charged with larceny, a 93-day misdemeanor, and use of a controlled substance, a one-year misdemeanor. But nothing was ever done, not even after another person filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Macomb County morgue with the EEOC in 2016, alleging a hostile work environment. It was also alleged Black families of deceased individuals were treated differently by morgue employees, and employees who complained were bullied. The EEOC does not comment on investigations. Posted on 21 novembre 2021; By; country music lifestyle (0) Comment. This is the second EEOC complaint to be filed against the Macomb County morgue in recent years. Autopsy report: Roseville man shot by police had five gunshot wounds, cut wounds on wrists . Mt. The employees, a 50-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, allegedly took some drugs instead of properly disposing of them, said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. Employees brought in a cake to the office that contained a black penis made of frosting the day after George Floyds death, and pornographic images of mostly men were placed on a wall and computer screen-savers, officials said. "We needed more control over what's going on with managing the facility, employees that are over there," Hackel said. (CBS DETROIT) - Two Macomb County workers are charged after stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office. Key Information Hours Staff are available to take your calls Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 586-469-5214. Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein. The investigation identified two morgue employees who were "pocketing drugs" from dead bodies, Click on Detroit reported. When we hearthese types of allegations, we take them seriously and we take quick action.". For the second time in three years, employees have been fired from the Macomb County morgue for wrongful behavior. I dont even have access, nor want access, to the property room.. The legal action was unrelated to scandals at the morgue within the past three years, although both situations are mentioned briefly in documents in the lawsuit. The death investigator recalled one of the morgue workers telling her: "Show them a picture of his penis. They involved one worker bringing in a cake with a Black penis in its frosting the day after the murder of George Floyd. Schiphol - Arriving and departing, Transfers, Layovers and Luggage storage. The Medical Assistant interviews patients, measures vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight and height), and records information on patients' charts. The dispute is now in the hands of the U.S. Macomb, MI. Secretary /Deputy Coroner. The first three charges are each seven-year felonies, and the larceny charge is a four-year felony. The assistant prosecutors trying the case argued to have her sentence be at the top of the guidelines and succeeded. Forensic Examinations 572 Local deaths (those that occur within the boundaries of Macomb County) that fall under the jurisdiction of (586) 469-5214. She said she heard a secretary ask a supervisorabout the cake: "Is that really a black penis cake in the conference room? The Medical Examiner's office investigates deaths due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician. The Free Press did not identify the individual, but described her as a death investigator who worked at the morgue as well as a person of color. A fourth employee remains on paid administrativeleave as investigators continue to questionformer employees about allegations involving racist and sexist behavior in the office. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. They learned the entire staff had access to the evidence room, which Hackel and Wickersham said is highly improper. That role was fully granted to county officials. A supervisor at the Macomb County morgue has been fired in the wake of a sexism and racism scandal that has cost four women their jobs, and could jeopardize the contract of Chief Medical. On May 26the day after George Floyd died while being arrested in Minneapolis, inflaming the nation a staff member who was not on duty brought in a medium-sized sheet cake that had been decorated with a black penis. When the parents arrived, theyhad difficulty identifying the body, unsure that it was their son. Macomb, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Wayne 313-577-2890 business hours 313-577-1198 after hours/weekends In no case may a funeral director apply for SER for an unclaimed body. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. February 2, 2023 / 6:38 PM The two employees fired for taking drugs were investigated, the results of which were provided to the county Prosecutors Office, which did not return a request Monday for an update on the case. Apr. Clemens, MI 48043 Defendants each acted intentionally, deliberately and willfully when they unlawfully discharged Plaintiff in retaliation for her protected activity.. She was terminated because she failed to pass her probationary period and was told by McKinnon she was provided the countys standard letter for that type of termination, the lawsuit says. MACOMB COUNTY, MI Three female employees at the Macomb County morgue have been fired after accusations of sexism and racist, according to reports. One employee supposedly resold the drugs while the other kept them for personal use, they said. All rights reserved. The Macomb County Health Department operates the Medical Examiner's (ME) office, which is charged with investigating deaths due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician. In 2017, there were 110 deaths related to heroin To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. macomb county morgue death. He or she then prepares a written autopsy report. Find 4 Coroners & Medical Examiners within 35.3 miles of Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Spitz declined comment. Wickersham compared that to his department, where only four people have access to the evidence room, and he is not one of them. Throughout the investigation, the sheriff's office interviewed all 19 employees who had access to the property room, Wickersham said. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, a Coroner & Medical Examiner, at Elizabeth Street, Clinton MI. At a Friday morning news conference held at the offices of the Communications and Technology Center and Roads Department in Mount Clemens, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced two. "We dont want anyone working in a place thats unwelcoming, unsafe and not inclusive," said Macomb County Human Resources Director Andrew McKinnon. The county in July 2020 fired three county morgue employees for sexist and potentially racist behavior and late last year dismissed two others for allegedly stealing drugs collected from death scenes. The 32-year-old woman stole drugs. Fetting and Kettlewell were bothfired from the medical examiner's office. Vital Records Request Form Download the Macomb County Vital Records Request Form and Instructions (PDF) Spitz said prior contract language was vague as to his role in the office and that he was the who proposed the new language that was accepted by the county administration. Both employees were fired in December. These can include Macomb County death certificates, local and Michigan State death registries, and the National Death Index. The data and information on this website is made available by the Office of the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds as a convenience to the public. Commissioners wanted him to be more responsive to questions and expressed concerns about operations. The officials made and/or influenced the unlawful decision to terminate Plaintiff because of her protected activity under the Free Speech Clause. "All these cities are on fire for the Black Lives Matter movement, and here's my staff eating a black penis cake as a joke? Macomb Daily 3 Woman accused of starving baby to death in Warren rejects plea Shantavia Hayden, 29, who is charged with second-degree murder for the death of her three-month-old daughter,. Assistant prosecutors John Pietrofesa and Andrew McGarrow tried the case, calling . Staff are available to take your calls Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at (586) 469-5214. In a 2010 autopsy as part of a high-profile investigation, Spitz missed a bullet that was found by another pathologist in the base of the skull of banker David Widlak, whose body was found along the Lake St. Clair shore in Harrison Township. The new contract includes an opt-out with a 90-day notice, Hackel said, and it gives the county more control over contracted work. Use of automated data search and programs is not supported by this . The complainant was told the Free Press that she wanted to report the conduct sooner but feared retalitation from co-workers. A fourth employee a manager is on paid-leave, according to The Macomb Daily, after the four employees reportedly displayed pornographic photos in the office and on their computers. So she filed a complaint with the EEOC and Macomb County. Rather, more sexual images turned up in the office, including a photo of a male's groin area in a tight bathing suit. When those families show up at the morgue, she says, "I havebeen told, 'Go deal with your people,' ". Officers caught up with Carnell Franklin-Smith, 34, and Benjamin Pearce, 29, who had been at the house the day before to transport James Davis' body to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office. Two Macomb County employees were fired after allegedly stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office, county officials announced at a news conference Friday. A Macomb County couple is facing murder charges in the Christmas Day death of their 18-month-old daughter who had enough fentanyl in her to kill several adults, authorities said Monday. Not only was the cake offensive, says one investigator, but it highlighteda chronic problem at the morgue that has now cost three employees their jobs. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. According to the prosecutor's office, Hayden brought her 7-month-old son A'Mar Griffin, to Childrens Hospital of Michigan in Detroit on Oct. 11, 2020. That really pushed me over the edge.". Can you suggest a cheap hotel? That employeea death investigator and person of color said she long wanted to report the offensive behavior, but feared retaliation so she stayed quiet. The death investigatorsays that she has often been given the responsibility of identifying the bodies of African Americans whose families have been considered "hostile" or "difficult" by office staff. Sticky notes with genitalia scrawled on them. To sign up for email updates from Macomb County or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your email address. Ex-morgue. 2023 www.freep.com. Accidents in Macomb County are a major cause of property damage, injury, and death each year. "The office culture is tainted with racism toward people of color. 57, died of multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was homicide. While authorities were interviewing all the employees, Fetting and Kettlewell admitted to pocketing drugs. The missing hydrocodone pills were not recovered. The offensive cake was served one day after George Floyd died while in police custody, the Detroit Free Press reported. "I felt that it was so egregious, so out of line and so brazenly conducted on a daily basis and nobody cared.". Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. The Medical Assistant assists in the examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. / CBS Detroit. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The investigator noted that she did questionherself before coming forward. Three female morgue employees were fired Thursday following a due-process hearing, according to county officials. I do not manage (county) employees, I do not hire, I do not fire, I do not discipline employees, Spitz said. The data and information provided herein is intended for the private non-commercial use of the general public. Nobody wants to terminate employees. In 2020, three employees were fired after alleged sexist and racist behavior, including a penis cake that showed up at the office the day after George Floyd's death. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Two employees with the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office are facing charges after authorities allege they stole drugs from people at the morgue. Perform death investigations that occur within Macomb County, prepares detailed reports and analysis on investigation of cases, identify deceased's . During the trial, Medical Examiner Leigh Hlavaty testified that AMar had not been fed for at least seven days. Drug-related deaths have been a significant problem over the past several years and hit an all-time high in 2017 (380 deaths). article. Berg agreed with Struckels attorney, Joel Sklar, in his opinion to deny dismissal of the free-speech claim that her complaints were made as a private citizen because as a morgue technician she had no management duties and her speech was of public concern. Her reporting of alleged violations was aimed at bringing to light public safety issues, potential wrongdoing and public trust, the lawsuit says. In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office investigated 3,061 deaths, performed 531 complete autopsies, 121 external examinations. In 2020, three Macomb County Morgue employees were fired after allegations of sexual harassment and racism. Please contact the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office at 313-833-2504 to find out how to obtain a copy of the autopsy report. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday that a woman has been sentenced to spend at least 27 years in prison for the starvation death of her own 7-month-old son. 43585 Elizabeth Road, Mt. 2023 www.freep.com. Friends remember Detroit sports media mainstay Jamie Samuelsen, Mitch Albom: Burying the unclaimed dead shows the greatest respect for life, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, A decomposed body of an African American male had arrived at the morgue. THREE employees at a morgue in Michigan have been fired after a worker brought a cake decorated with an image of a black penis into the lunch room, according to a report. Hackel and Sheriff Anthony Wickersham did not reveal the type of drugs that the employees allegedly pilfered. Both Kettlewell and Fetting were arraigned Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 41B District Court. In the same week that George Floyd was killed, a cake decorated with a Black penison it showed up in the conference room at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office. The facility was expanded in 2021. Shantavia Hayden was convicted of second-degree murder in September after a two-week-long trial. THREE employees at a morgue in Michigan have been fired after a worker brought a cake decorated with an image of a black penis into the lunch room, according to a report. Contact the Medical Examiner's office at (586) 469-5214 or email us now. Admin Assistant, Clerical. Fetting is charged with conspiracy to commit controlled substance - delivery/manufacture, two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture, and larceny in a building. Prior to filing a complaint, the investigator said, she tried to minimize her exposure to the harassment and hostility in the office. 3 The Macomb County Morgue Credit: Macomb County Shantavia Hayden was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her 7-month-old after the baby was starved to death in 2020. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Job in Woodstock - McHenry County - IL Illinois - USA , 60098. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Macomb County Morgue locations in Adair, MI. The jury returned a guilty verdict two hours after getting the case. She noted the masks provide protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. Macomb County officials on Thursday will consider settling a federal lawsuit filed over two years ago by a former morgue employee who claims she was fired for reporting health and safety. Thirty-two-year-old Jocelyn Fetting and 50-year-old Jacob Kettlewell allegedly stole over a thousand pills from the facility's property room, Fox 2 reported Wednesday. Contract position. Fetting is charged with conspiracy with intent to deliver, delivery of Suboxone, delivery of Adderall, and larceny of a building. 2023 FOX Television Stations, The heaviest snow is behind us heading into the weekend, Snow storm shuts down Detroit Metro Airport, Power outages hit Metro Detroit hard as winter storm pounds area, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond talks with Detroit Titans guard Antoine Davis after coming up just short of the NCAA all-time scoring record, Suspect still wanted after brutal beating of victims after they shoveled his snow last winter in Detroit, Inside the Paint Bus - an art studio on wheels born in Detroit, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, New 5G cell tower on Wyandotte elemntary school has parents livid as meeting turns hostile, Southeast Michigan weather: The latest totals and what to expect tonight. The cake was taken into the conference area, which also served as the office lunch room, where it wasshared by morgue workers and supervisors. The development has prompted Hackel and his administration to look into the countys existing four-year, $2.5 million contract with Dr. Daniel Spitz of Spitz Pathology Group that went into effect last January. They're either "viciouslyharassed," she alleges, or bullied into resigning. obtained from the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office through a Freedom of Information . Purpose. 2023 County Office. But, maybe also check first with the place where she would be cremated, make sure they will take her after a couple days Back in 2017 we debunked a story that a Texas . The office identifies bodies, notifies the next of kin, and returns personal belongings to the family. "Were supposed to set an example. Morgue employees often take medicine found at a . Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office . Mail to Macomb County Clerk, Attn: Death Records, 120 North Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Popularity:#7 of 83 Coroners & Medical Examiners in Michigan#158 in Coroners & Medical Examiners. The crude confection lingered in a lunchroom at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's . The investigation has been going on for a "few months.". The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted.
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