The facility was expanded in 2021. 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. First published on February 2, 2023 / 6:38 PM. During the probe, sheriffs investigators questioned the entire staff of 19. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The death investigator asked why that was permitted, but got no response. 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.. 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. 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.. Printed images of naked men and penis-shaped confetti scattered on desks, counters and the floor. Mail to Macomb County Clerk, Attn: Death Records, 120 North Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. The prior contract was for $1.7 million. He or she then prepares a written autopsy report. I prepared the contract and submitted it to the county, he said. So she filed a complaint with the EEOC and Macomb County. Defendants each acted intentionally, deliberately and willfully when they unlawfully discharged Plaintiff in retaliation for her protected activity.. That employeea death investigator and person of color said she long wanted to report the offensive behavior, but feared retaliation so she stayed quiet. Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office Before she was fired, Spitz told her she was over-qualified for the position, she says. The data and information provided herein is intended for the private non-commercial use of the general public. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The Detroit Free Press reported. Sticky notes with genitalia scrawled on them. McKinnon said that the threeterminated employees were let go for being part of a sexual discriminatory workplace,not for racism, and that investigators have not been able to substantiate any allegations involvingracism. 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. How do I use public transport? The board ultimately approved new contracts that year and in 2017. "We needed more control over what's going on with managing the facility, employees that are over there," Hackel said. Penis screen savers. 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. 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. "The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office does not investigate and does not try cases in the media. A fourth member of staff is currently under investigation, Macomb County's Director of Human Resources, Andrew. Find Death Records and Vital Records related to Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Three female morgue employees were fired Thursday following a due-process hearing, according to county officials. Key Information Hours Staff are available to take your calls Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 586-469-5214. 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. Maybe they'll recognize him by that.". Watch the 5 p.m. news live right now on Local 4+. Listed on 2023-03-02. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Officials said they noticed 20 hydrocodone pain pills had gone missing, and there were 19 employees with access to the property room. Jacob Kettlewell, 50, is accused of taking an occasional pill from the medical examiners office and consuming it, according to authorities. 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. The county Board of Commissioners on Thursday is scheduled to go into closed session to discuss settlement of the lawsuit. 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. The officials made and/or influenced the unlawful decision to terminate Plaintiff because of her protected activity under the Free Speech Clause. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you . 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 . Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. 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. In 2017, there were 110 deaths related to heroin 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. "Were supposed to set an example. All Rights Reserved. Job in Woodstock - McHenry County - IL Illinois - USA , 60098. 2022 Midterm Elections. While authorities were interviewing all the employees, Fetting and Kettlewell admitted to pocketing drugs. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. Forensic Examinations 572 Local deaths (those that occur within the boundaries of Macomb County) that fall under the jurisdiction of Hayden will spend 27.5 to 50 years in prison. That is not funny.". 2 Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel J. Spitz, M.D. The offensive cake was served one day after George Floyd died while in police custody, the Detroit Free Press reported. The balloon was there for three days. 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. 43525 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Shantavia Hayden was convicted of second-degree murder in September after a two-week-long trial. The Medical Examiner's office investigates deaths due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician. An anonymous tip received in April 2022 led the sheriff's office to investigate Fetting and Kettlewell. The assistant prosecutors trying the case argued to have her sentence be at the top of the guidelines and succeeded. A pathologist who studies the cause and effects of disease and injury, then gathers specimens of the organs and body fluids for testing. . The Medical Assistant assists in the examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. article. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. In a workplace dispute that is nowin the hands of the U.S. / CBS Detroit. That role was fully granted to county officials. Struckel initially complained to Spitz and then to Ridella and McKinnon. Find 4 Coroners & Medical Examiners within 35.3 miles of Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. The Macomb Daily reported that the four employees, a group comprised of a two morgue technicians, an investigator and the manager, were fired on Thursday following a July 18 complaint issued by. 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. Suggest Listing Kettlewell is charged with larceny, a 93-day misdemeanor, and use of a controlled substance, a one-year misdemeanor. County medical examiner. 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. There was one gunshot wound to the head entering on the right cheek . (586) 469-5214. 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 . 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. This was not onlyignored by managing personnel, but participated in by the supervising staff.". When the investigatorcalled 911 and a supervisor to report the incident, the supervisor "later called back and said, 'Are they black? The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The dispute is now in the hands of the U.S. If you would like to subscribe for text alerts please select Text Updates in the drop-down menu. Contract position. 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. 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. And things have gotten worse, says the death investigator, alleging:"Within the past two years, the hostile work environment has progressively worsened and the harassment has amplified. Jacob Kettlewell, 50, is charged with larceny and use of a controlled substance. 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. 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. Full-Time. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The ex-morgue technicians were . 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. Regarding the new allegations, sheriffs investigators a few months ago followed up on a report of the missing pills. "No, I did not have any of it. "I felt that it was so egregious, so out of line and so brazenly conducted on a daily basis and nobody cared.". 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. A Roseville man who was fatally shot by police on April 26 after a crash in Roseville loved to fish, was a Green Bay Packers fan and was generous with his time and money, according to an online obituary.. Frank Robles, 57, was a Roseville resident for 46 years and a graduate of Brablec High School, according to the obituary on the Kaul Funeral Home website. 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. Popularity:#7 of 83 Coroners & Medical Examiners in Michigan#158 in Coroners & Medical Examiners. The Wayne County Medical Examiner & Coroner creates death records that can be used in criminal investigations, to resolve insurance claims, or to monitor Detroit public health. 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. 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. They both received $5,000 personal bonds and will be back in court in May. This is the second EEOC complaint to be filed against the Macomb County morgue in recent years. According to McKinnon, the current investigation does not involvechief Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who is a contract employee with the county. 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. Accidents in Macomb County are a major cause of property damage, injury, and death each year. 43585 Elizabeth Road, Mt. 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. 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. The Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her mom's death an overdose due to multiple prescription drugs. "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? 2023 www.freep.com. Hayden brought the 7-month-old to the emergency room where a physician tried to save the baby's life. Burial Services. Three female morgue workers were fired as part of the investigation last week. Another one alleging similar claims was filed in 2016 and is still pending. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. "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.". A cake decorated with a black penis has sparked grave allegations of workplace racism at a Michigan morgue. Hackel and Sheriff Anthony Wickersham did not reveal the type of drugs that the employees allegedly pilfered. This is the second time in three years the medical examiner's office has come under fire. 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. Spitz took over the medical examiner role in the mid-2000s, following in the footsteps of his well-known father, Dr. Werner Spitz. Schiphol - Arriving and departing, Transfers, Layovers and Luggage storage. According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, Jocelyn Fetting, 32, is charged with conspiracy with intent to deliver, delivery of suboxone, delivery of Adderall and larceny of a building. 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. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. 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,. (CBS DETROIT) - Two Macomb County workers are charged after stealing drugs from the medical examiner's office. You may not use this site for the purposes of furnishing consumer reports about search subjects or for any use prohibited by the FCRA. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The 50-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, both morgue technicians, were dismissed following a Sheriffs Office investigation into 20 missing hydrocodone pills that should have made it to the evidence room but did not. I think you want to figure out how you manage these employees but, lets face it, at times, you do have folks who have issues.. 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. non human bones, tissue, fetuses, etc.) Hackel and Wickersham declined to provide the specific kind of drug, the amount that was taken or when it happened. They can break the doors and nothing will happen to them with everything going on, because they are black. Three female morgue employees were fired Thursday following a due-processhearing, according to county officials. During the cake incident, multiple employees complained, but nothing happened, the complaint alleges. 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. 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. It was also alleged Black families of deceased individuals were treated differently by morgue employees, and employees who complained were bullied. Find 24 listings related to Macomb County Morgue in Adair on YP.com. 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. The investigation identified two morgue employees who were "pocketing drugs" from dead bodies, Click on Detroit reported. Vital Records Request Form Download the Macomb County Vital Records Request Form and Instructions (PDF) To sign up for email updates from Macomb County or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your email address. 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. Job specializations: Administrative/Clerical. Find 4 Coroners & Medical Examiners within 36.2 miles of Wayne County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Justice was served today for little Amar," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. 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. Re: Covid Entry Requirements - Amsterdam. The office identifies bodies, notifies the next of kin, and returns personal belongings to the family. Rather, more sexual images turned up in the office, including a photo of a male's groin area in a tight bathing suit. Was she whining, overly sensitive? 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. Both employees were fired in December. The jury returned a guilty verdict two hours after getting the case. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. When those families show up at the morgue, she says, "I havebeen told, 'Go deal with your people,' ". 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. The following death benefits are deducted from the SER payment: Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said two years ago that some steps of the medical examiners drug disposal process gave him pause. "I was lividfurious actually," the woman said in a recent interview with the Free Press. Nobody wants to terminate employees. Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner/Coroner's Office. Three employees at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's office have been fired amid an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and racism. His tenure has included additional controversies. The investigation has been going on for a "few months.". A death investigator. That employee was fired after filing her EEOC complaint, which is still pending. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the medical examiners office had drugs so it could compare it to medication found in toxicology reports. Wickersham compared that to his department, where only four people have access to the evidence room, and he is not one of them. Macomb County deputies were called at about 8 a.m. Sunday to the . 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. They were given a $5,000 personal bond. 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 employees, a 50-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, allegedly took some drugs instead of properly disposing of them. An application for burial assistance must be made no later than 10 business days after the burial, cremation or donation takes place. All of this was part of the office decor, her complaint alleges. Posted on 21 novembre 2021; By; country music lifestyle (0) Comment. 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. Drug-related deaths have been a significant problem over the past several years and hit an all-time high in 2017 (380 deaths). 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. She said she heard a secretary ask a supervisorabout the cake: "Is that really a black penis cake in the conference room? CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 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. The missing hydrocodone pills were not recovered. Expect More from Local 4 News at 5. The first three charges are each seven-year felonies, and the larceny charge is a four-year felony. In 2020, three Macomb County Morgue employees were fired after allegations of sexual harassment and racism.