The ex-morgue technicians were . "I was like, 'this is never gonna change,' so I filed a complaint with the EEOC and with HR," she told the Free Press. Thats not a good policy to have with an evidence room, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. They were given a $5,000 personal bond. 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. Burial Services. She moved her desk andvolunteered to work weekends to avoid contact with the employees. 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. Before she was fired, Spitz told her she was over-qualified for the position, she says. Two Macomb County morgue employees fired for, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Two Macomb County morgue employees fired for stealing drugs, Not again. The office identifies bodies, notifies the next of kin, and returns personal belongings to the family. That is not funny.". More:Friends remember Detroit sports media mainstay Jamie Samuelsen, "There has been an ongoing hostile work environment within the Medical Examiner's Office since I have been here," the July 18 complaint states. 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. The assistant prosecutors trying the case argued to have her sentence be at the top of the guidelines and succeeded. 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. Recently, a distraught family appeared at the morgue and damaged some doors. This is the second time in three years the medical examiner's office has come under fire. / CBS Detroit. They discovered minimal oversight of the evidence room and the chain of custody for items, often drugs, taken from death scenes, officials said. Another one alleging similar claims was filed in 2016 and is still pending. 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 . Details of a proposed deal are not provided in meeting documents. Commissioners wanted him to be more responsive to questions and expressed concerns about operations. One likely took the drugs and another likely attempted to sell them, the officials said. 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 dispute is now in the hands of the U.S. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. macomb county morgue death. . The board ultimately approved new contracts that year and in 2017. The county signed a new contract with an office management company to oversee the process. "Were supposed to set an example. The investigator responded no, then asked if she herself had frosted the cake with a black penis. They were fired. 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. This is the second EEOC complaint to be filed against the Macomb County morgue in recent years. "I was lividfurious actually," the woman said in a recent interview with the Free Press. Accidents in Macomb County are a major cause of property damage, injury, and death each year. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. All Rights Reserved. View map of Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, and get driving directions from your location. The 32-year-old woman stole drugs. Hackel and Wickersham declined to provide the specific kind of drug, the amount that was taken or when it happened. get driving directions from your location, Oakland County Medical Examiner & Coroner, St Clair County Medical Examiner & Coroner, Macomb County Clerk and Recorder's Office Death Records, Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds' Office Death Records, Macomb County Clerk's Office Genealogy Records, Macomb County Clerk's Office Marriage Applications, Macomb County Death Certificates & Records, Macomb County Marriage Certificates & Records. "Are they a black family?" The prosecutor also said Hayden had received $15,000 in jobless benefits in four months plus food stamps and cash assistance from the state. The Macomb County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Scott's identity, but could not confirm an official cause of death as a toxicology report is still pending. The cake was taken into the conference area, which also served as the office lunch room, where it wasshared by morgue workers and supervisors. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. A woman and a man who worked at the Macomb County Morgue have been charged for stealing drugs off of bodies, prosecutors said. Investigators said the chain of drug custody caught their eye, and some workers were concerned about people pocketing some of the drugs. The investigator noted that she did questionherself before coming forward. 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. All rights reserved. Fetting is charged with conspiracy to commit controlled substance - delivery/manufacture, two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture, and larceny in a building. The complainant says she endured as much as she could until May of this year. "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? 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. Two former Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office employees are facing charges in connection with the theft of prescription medications from storage. When the descendant's estate, mandatory copayments, etc., are not sufficient, burial payment assistance may be available to pay for: Costs associated with donation of a body to a medical school. 2. According to McKinnon, the current investigation does not involvechief Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who is a contract employee with the county. Other allegations included employees mocking Blacks asking about the death of their loved ones, bullying and the displaying of pornography around the workplace. After the public controversy, Macomb County added new provisions to its contract with Chief Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz, who has held the position since 2004. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. Find Death Records and Vital Records related to Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. In a workplace dispute that is nowin the hands of the U.S. The following death benefits are deducted from the SER payment: Full-Time. This was not onlyignored by managing personnel, but participated in by the supervising staff.". They'll just say they were upset,' " states the complaint. Both employees were fired in December. Posted on 21 novembre 2021; By; country music lifestyle (0) Comment. The Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner creates death records that can be used in criminal investigations, to resolve insurance claims, or to monitor Clinton public health. Job specializations: Administrative/Clerical. Regarding criminal charges against the two employees, Wickersham said investigators from his office were meeting with Macomb prosecutors Friday for potential issuance of warrants. Hayden brought the 7-month-old to the emergency room where a physician tried to save the baby's life. 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. Find 13 external resources related to Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Clinton Twp. Listed on 2023-03-02. They involved one worker bringing in a cake with a Black penis in its frosting the day after the murder of George Floyd. They're either "viciouslyharassed," she alleges, or bullied into resigning. Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office . The death investigator says that over the years, she has heard multiple racist and insensitive comments from staff when dealing with African American families who have come to the morgue to inquire about their loved ones. So she filed a complaint with the EEOC and Macomb County. Schiphol - Arriving and departing, Transfers, Layovers and Luggage storage. 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. 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. Struckel initially complained to Spitz and then to Ridella and McKinnon. She said she heard a secretary ask a supervisorabout the cake: "Is that really a black penis cake in the conference room? 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. airport searched following CSC allegation against aviation club member, ROUNDUP: L'Anse Creuse North finishes sixth in state competitive cheer finals, Warren City Council nixes Ryan Road condo plan, County Line Road closing over I-94 for bridge work in northern Macomb, Man with a beef for McDonald's workers in Richmond accused of threatening to shoot up eatery, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. He or she then prepares a written autopsy report. What is there to see and do? Confiscation of the drugs is used to determine whether a toxicology report stemming from an autopsy matches drugs found at the scene. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Fetting and Kettlewell were arraigned in 41B District Court and each received a $5,000 personal bond. Perform death investigations that occur within Macomb County, prepares detailed reports and analysis on investigation of cases, identify deceased's . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Morgue employees often take medicine found at a . Expect More from Local 4 News at 5. The new language was instituted following a scandal at the same facilty in which three morgue employees were fired in July 2020 for sexist and potentially racist behavior. They also work with Macomb County police and sheriff's offices to investigate suspicious or violent deaths. "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. Mail to Macomb County Clerk, Attn: Death Records, 120 North Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. 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. Prior to filing a complaint, the investigator said, she tried to minimize her exposure to the harassment and hostility in the office. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The crude confection lingered in a lunchroom at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's . People complained, she claims. The Medical Assistant interviews patients, measures vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight and height), and records information on patients' charts. 43585 Elizabeth Rd Visit Medical Examiner - Coroner Website. The prior contract was for $1.7 million. Two Macomb County employees were fired after allegedly stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office, county officials announced at a news conference Friday. For the second time in three years, employees have been fired from the Macomb County morgue for wrongful behavior. According to the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Officer, Robertson died from multiple blunt force injuries. "We dont want anyone working in a place thats unwelcoming, unsafe and not inclusive," said Macomb County Human Resources Director Andrew McKinnon. The prosecutor sad Hayden had enough food and financial assistance to keep the baby fed and had received 16 cans of formula during A'Mar's life - including seven of them just three days before he died. All of this was part of the office decor, her complaint alleges. Both employees were fired in December. Justice was served today for little Amar," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. Macomb Township Authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found Sunday on a sidewalk, officials said. About Us Contact Us Last month, former . Regarding the new allegations, sheriffs investigators a few months ago followed up on a report of the missing pills. FOX 2 Detroit. Struckel, who resided in Wayne County at the time the lawsuit was filed, had relocated from Seattle, where she worked in forensic medicine for the Seattle King County Public Health Medical Examiners Office and the Kitsap County Coroners Office in Washington State. When she worked for the state, she was the subject matter expert during compliance and accreditation inspections by the National Association of Medical Examiners, Food & Drug Administration and American Association of Tissue Banks inspections for compliance and accreditation, the lawsuit says. The investigation has been going on for a "few months.". The death of Floyd, a Black man who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police and with an officer's knee on his neck, has sparked protests against police brutality around the nation. Key Information Hours Staff are available to take your calls Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 586-469-5214. The Medical Assistant assists in the examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. The investigation identified two morgue employees who were "pocketing drugs" from dead bodies, Click on Detroit reported. The Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her mom's death an overdose due to multiple prescription drugs. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you . Rather, more sexual images turned up in the office, including a photo of a male's groin area in a tight bathing suit. Many families could see drastically smaller tax refunds in 2023: Heres why, Oxford school officials: Ethan Crumbley's parents never refused to take him home, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. I dont even have access, nor want access, to the property room.. In addition to the county, defendants include William Ridella, retired director of Macomb County Public Health; Deputy County Executive Andrew McKinnon, who was director of Human Resources at the time; and county Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz and his company, Spitz Pathology Group. 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. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the medical examiners office had drugs so it could compare it to medication found in toxicology reports. An anonymous tip received in April 2022 led the sheriff's office to investigate Fetting and Kettlewell. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. The county Board of Commissioners on Thursday is scheduled to go into closed session to discuss settlement of the lawsuit. The balloon was there for three days. 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. They can break the doors and nothing will happen to them with everything going on, because they are black. They did note a separate incident where 20 hydrocodone pills went missing from the evidence room, but said they do not know who took them. A fourth employee remains on paid administrative leave as investigators. The individual defendants knew Struckel was engaging in free speech because she told each her suspicions and the imminent dangers of disease posed to those who visited the morgue, employees, their families and community, the complaint states.