The county Board of Commissioners on Thursday is scheduled to go into closed session to discuss settlement of the lawsuit. For the second time in three years, employees have been fired from the Macomb County morgue for wrongful behavior. "I felt that it was so egregious, so out of line and so brazenly conducted on a daily basis and nobody cared.". A fourth employee remains on paid administrative leave as investigators. Find Death Records and Vital Records related to Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Spitzs inactive role in management was clarified in the new deal approved last December effective Jan. 1. 1 weather alerts 1 closings . She moved her desk andvolunteered to work weekends to avoid contact with the employees. "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. Kettlewell is charged with larceny less than $200 and controlled substance use. Job specializations: Administrative/Clerical. institut dsw - News - macomb county morgue death. "So what we decided to do was come up with more stringent protocols in place for us to have oversight to give us access to understanding more of what was being done over there, (this evidence room) was one of those areas that kind of came out as being problematic.". Three female morgue employees were fired Thursday following a due-process hearing, according to county officials. "Are they a black family?" Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. Over the last five years, the death investigator says she's been forced to work in a cliquey environment where sex is often joked about, especially male genitalia. So she filed a complaint with the EEOC and Macomb County. Drug-related deaths have been a significant problem over the past several years and hit an all-time high in 2017 (380 deaths). Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, three female employees with the Medical Examiner's office were fired last week for alleged workplace misbehavior that one workersays went on for at least five years. Jocelyn Fetting, 32, of Chesterfield, and Jacob Kettlewell, 50, of Oxford, are accused of stealing 1,200 pills from the property room at the office. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. Fraser City Clerk 33000 Garfield Road Fraser, MI 48026 586-293-1877 Directions. 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. 43585 Elizabeth Road, Mt. I prepared the contract and submitted it to the county, he said. FOX 2 Detroit. The employees made admissions to stealing other drugs from the chain of evidence process but were not responsible for the missing hydrocodone pills, officials said. The deal includes an opt-out with 90 days notice. Authorities said the office takes medications and narcotics from people who have died as part of the death investigation. Nobody wants to terminate employees. Read more Health - Medical Examiner Fees 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 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. 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. The Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her mom's death an overdose due to multiple prescription drugs. I do not manage (county) employees, I do not hire, I do not fire, I do not discipline employees, Spitz said. Morgue employees often take medicine found at a . Find 24 listings related to Macomb County Morgue in Adair on YP.com. Popularity:#7 of 83 Coroners & Medical Examiners in Michigan#158 in Coroners & Medical Examiners. That role was fully granted to county officials. She switched to thenight shift for awhile. The new contract includes an opt-out with a 90-day notice, Hackel said, and it gives the county more control over contracted work. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Terms and Conditions. "The office culture is tainted with racism toward people of color. 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. Patch has reached out to Macomb County officials for additional information. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said two years ago that some steps of the medical examiners drug disposal process gave him pause. Both employees were fired in December. That is not funny.". Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, a Coroner & Medical Examiner, at Elizabeth Street, Clinton MI. More:Many families could see drastically smaller tax refunds in 2023: Heres why, More:Oxford school officials: Ethan Crumbley's parents never refused to take him home. Job in Woodstock - McHenry County - IL Illinois - USA , 60098. The death investigator tells a different story. (CBS DETROIT) - Two Macomb County workers are charged after stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office. The cake was taken into the conference area, which also served as the office lunch room, where it wasshared by morgue workers and supervisors. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. 2 Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel J. Spitz, M.D. Macomb Township Authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found Sunday on a sidewalk, officials said. Morgue employees often take medicine found at a crime scene to compare it to the result of a toxicology report, said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office . December 9, 2022 Two Macomb County employees were fired after allegedly stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office, county officials announced at a news conference Friday. 2023 www.freep.com. 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. He or she then prepares a written autopsy report. 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. Jacob Kettlewell, 50, is charged with larceny and use of a controlled substance. Listed on 2023-03-02. 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. Sticky notes with genitalia scrawled on them. (586) 469-5214. Two former Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office employees are facing charges in connection with the theft of prescription medications from storage. 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. The 2020 firings prompted the county and Spitz to insert language into his new contract with the county, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to clarify he does not manage the office. 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. All rights reserved. "We dont want anyone working in a place thats unwelcoming, unsafe and not inclusive," said Macomb County Human Resources Director Andrew McKinnon. Fetting and Kettlewell were arraigned in 41B District Court and each received a $5,000 personal bond. According to McKinnon, the current investigation does not involvechief Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who is a contract employee with the county. Thats not a good policy to have with an evidence room, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. 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. Spitz took over the medical examiner role in the mid-2000s, following in the footsteps of his well-known father, Dr. Werner Spitz. 2023 www.freep.com. A pathologist who studies the cause and effects of disease and injury, then gathers specimens of the organs and body fluids for testing. Three female morgue employees were fired Thursday following a due-processhearing, according to county officials. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. 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. The next court date is scheduled for May 9. Wickersham compared that to his department, where only four people have access to the evidence room, and he is not one of them. 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. Maybe they'll recognize him by that.". The death investigator says multiple people have complained about the "unprofessional decorum" in the past, but to no avail. Contract position. That really pushed me over the edge.". obtained from the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office through a Freedom of Information . Full-Time. Los Angeles County Office of Decedent Affairs (County Morgue/Cemetery) Phone: (323) 409-7161. einouye@dhs.lacounty.gov. While authorities were interviewing all the employees, Fetting and Kettlewell admitted to pocketing drugs. That employee was fired after filing her EEOC complaint, which is still pending. "Its despicable that a mother would starve her child to death. 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. The Medical Assistant interviews patients, measures vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight and height), and records information on patients' charts. Hayden will spend 27.5 to 50 years in prison. The prosecutor also said Hayden had received $15,000 in jobless benefits in four months plus food stamps and cash assistance from the state. Was she whining, overly sensitive? That really pushed me over the edge.". Kettlewell is charged with larceny, a 93-day misdemeanor, and use of a controlled substance, a one-year misdemeanor. Its sad, Hackel said. 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. During the cake incident, multiple employees complained, but nothing happened, the complaint alleges. ", 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. Fetting is charged with conspiracy to commit controlled substance - delivery/manufacture, two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture, and larceny in a building. Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. 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. 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. Printed images of naked men and penis-shaped confetti scattered on desks, counters and the floor. Prosecutors say Fetting allegedly took drugs from the medical examiner's office with the internet to sell, while Kettlewell took an occasional pill to consume. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Now that the investigation is complete, the appropriate charges have been brought against the two former medical examiner's employees," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a press release. was a question she often heard when dealing with upset families, she said. MACOMB COUNTY, MI Three female employees at the Macomb County morgue have been fired after accusations of sexism and racist, according to reports. Spitz said after the press conference he wanted to make it clear that under the new contract, he has had no management control over the 16 county employees in the office; he only oversees himself and two other forensic pathologists. County medical examiner. Nine months later, a Ferndale man overdosed on multiple prescription pain . "No, I did not have any of it. Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office Apr. Spitz declined comment. Confiscation of the drugs is used to determine whether a toxicology report stemming from an autopsy matches drugs found at the scene. 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. A fourth member of staff is currently under investigation, Macomb County's Director of Human Resources, Andrew. 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. The data and information provided herein is intended for the private non-commercial use of the general public. When the investigatorcalled 911 and a supervisor to report the incident, the supervisor "later called back and said, 'Are they black? Privacy Policy If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. 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. Find 4 Coroners & Medical Examiners within 35.3 miles of Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Key Information Hours Staff are available to take your calls Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 586-469-5214. 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. They discovered minimal oversight of the evidence room and the chain of custody for items, often drugs, taken from death scenes, officials said. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXMI) The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled a 1-year-old's death a homicide, the Grand Rapids Police Department said Tuesday. Commissioners wanted him to be more responsive to questions and expressed concerns about operations. Macomb, MI. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. However, the doctor said that the child was already showing signs of rigor mortis and the baby had been dead for a few hours before he was brought into the hospital. 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. Three female morgue workers were fired as part of the investigation last week. Clemens, Michigan 48043 Tel: (586) 469-5214 * Fax (586) 469-6636 _____ To the Macomb County Executive and the Citizens of Macomb County: The Medical Examiner's duty is to investigate deaths which occur in the county to determine the cause and manner of death. "'That cake is disgusting," she said she told her. Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein. Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner (Clinton, MI - 19.5 miles) . They'll just say they were upset,' " states the complaint. 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. During the probe, sheriffs investigators questioned the entire staff of 19. Two former employees of the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office were charged Wednesday with several crimes relating to stolen prescription medication from the morgue. 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 Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, located in Clinton, MI, keeps death records for individuals who passed away in Clinton. 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,. Secretary /Deputy Coroner. 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. "I have witnessed prior employees resign due to constant bullying and ridicule for 'not being onboard'with the office culture," the new complaint states. The investigation identified two morgue employees who were "pocketing drugs" from dead bodies, Click on Detroit reported. "I was livid furious actually," the woman told the Free Press. 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. Ex-morgue. Blood-soaked Idaho crime scene 'major challenge' for investigators, expert says, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Burial Services. They involved one worker bringing in a cake with a Black penis in its frosting the day after the murder of George Floyd. 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. The Medical Assistant assists in the examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. Officials said they noticed 20 hydrocodone pain pills had gone missing, and there were 19 employees with access to the property room. 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. All Rights Reserved. Assistant prosecutors John Pietrofesa and Andrew McGarrow tried the case, calling . "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 officials made and/or influenced the unlawful decision to terminate Plaintiff because of her protected activity under the Free Speech Clause. Jacob Kettlewell, 50, is accused of taking an occasional pill from the medical examiners office and consuming it, according to authorities. A fourth employee remains on paid administrativeleave as investigators continue to questionformer employees about allegations involving racist and sexist behavior in the office. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The Detroit Free Press reported. 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. 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. Suggest Listing The Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, located in Clinton, MI, keeps death records for individuals who passed away in Clinton. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. First published on February 2, 2023 / 6:38 PM. "The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office does not investigate and does not try cases in the media. Vital Records Request Form Download the Macomb County Vital Records Request Form and Instructions (PDF) The missing hydrocodone pills were not recovered. Robinette Struckel, a former morgue technician in the county Medical Examiners Office, in November 2020 sued the county, a county official, a now-retired county official, and the medical examiner and his company on allegations of violation of her First Amendment right to free speech, the state Whistleblowers Protection Act and public policy. Visit Medical Examiner - Coroner Website. 43585 Elizabeth Road, Mt. Before she was fired, Spitz told her she was over-qualified for the position, she says. When we hearthese types of allegations, we take them seriously and we take quick action.". She noted the masks provide protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens.