Police board to fire two officers in miscarriage case

[proud2BlibKansan]

Source: The Kansas City Star


By CHRISTINE VENDEL


The Kansas City Police Board has unanimously voted to fire two officers for ignoring a pregnant woman’s pleas for medical help during a traffic stop in 2006, according to an order released today.

Board members agreed with Police Chief Jim Corwin’s recommendation to terminate Kevin Schnell and Melody Spencer for their actions on Feb. 5, 2006, when they stopped Sofia Salva after seeing her affix a fake temporary tag to her vehicle.

Salva told them she was pregnant and said at least 21 times that she was bleeding or wanted to go to a hospital.

The officers said they thought Salva was lying. They booked her into the jail at Police Headquarters, where she spent the night. The next day, Salva had a miscarriage.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/633142.html

[fed_up_mother]

1. That's disgusting.

I hope she sues these creeps.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. A judge had said the officers should not be fired

because she admitted later that she had been lying about thinking she was having a miscarriage.

But she DID have a miscarriage.

[fed_up_mother]

3. So which was it.

Do they have it on tape that she was lying?

Kind of seems like we have proof to the contrary, unfortunately.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. The only tape I have seen is the one when they pulled her over

[Suich]

5. Just curious....

Did she appear to be pregnant? Could you tell one way or the other?

:shrug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. She was only 3 months along

The video is on this page: http://www.kmbc.com/news/10903920/detail.html

[John Kerry VonErich]

19. Now I'm confused on that

I don't know if they were doin their job or not, did she have a criminal record and has been known to lie?

[orleans]

7. you know, when someone says something like that it is best to error on

the side of caution and get her to the hospital.

because, when you ignore her, and just stick her in jail for the night you come off like a REAL FUCKING ASSHOLE (right Kevin Schnell and Melody Spencer?)

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. It is the police dept's policy to get medical help when detainees or prisoners complain

That's why they got fired - for violating dept policy.

There was also a person who worked at the jail who was fired because Sophia kept asking to go to a hospital once she was in the jail.

[rdenney]

23. People die everyday in custody. Nothing new about that.

Medications and other needs go unmet while in custody.

[sasquatch]

9. Well boys its back to MickeyD's for you two

[madeline_con]

10. They should be jailed for manslaughter.

[bean fidhleir]

11. NO they absolutely should NOT!

Are you crazy? Spontaneous miscarriage is a normal event.

[FloridaJudy]

12. I agree

Nothing can be done to prevent most miscarriages. But there was a huge potential for harm there. The blood loss from a miscarriage can be horrendous: I have a friend who nearly died. If they'd taken her to the hospital she'd probably still have miscarried. But she'd also be where she could be helped if she started hemorrhaging after.

[bean fidhleir]

13. Agreed. They *certainly* should have got her medical care when she asked

And it's right that they were canned. They not only failed to follow clear orders, they didn't even show the basic common sense and humanity that should be required of everyone in government.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. And she wouldn't be filing a lawsuit now

Plus those officers would probably still have their jobs.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. And refusing to get her medical care is okay with you?

Because a miscarriage is a normal event? :wow:

[bean fidhleir]

16. Post in haste, repent at leisure. Look at my post #13. And its timestamp.

Would you like to apologize now, or is that not part of your repertoire?

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. What are you, the manners monitor?

I saw that post. But you didn't say you agreed the cops should have been fired. That is the issue here. No one argued that miscarriage isn't spontaneous.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rdenney]

24. Yes they should. Being in custody means they are responsible for her wellbeing.

[Honeycombe8]

21. "Manslaughter" would mean the fetus is a human being, unable to be aborted.

Is that you mean?

[woodsprite]

20. I've had miscarriages before - both early and late term. Affixing a license

plate is the *LAST* thing that I'd be doing if I was bleeding and experiencing a pending miscarriage. They should have escorted her to the hospital and stayed with her. If she turned out fine or declined their offer, charge her. If I were a cop and was there with her, I would have doubted her story also, but I would have offered help and and escort to the hospital.

[Honeycombe8]

22. I agree. nt