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| Oklahoma County Wins Lawsuit Over Medical Care |
| By KOCO ChannelOklahoma.com |
| Published: 03/06/2002 |
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A former jail inmate who sued Oklahoma County and Sheriff John Whetsel for allegedly failing to meet her medical needs lost her federal lawsuit Monday. A jury deliberated for about one hour before ruling against former inmate Debra Ann Scott, who was three to five months pregnant when she entered the jail in March 1998. Smith said she delivered a baby boy, who did not survive, on March 18. In her lawsuit, Scott claimed jail employees and nurses knew of her condition, but did nothing to help her or her child, leaving her alone to miscarry in the jail cell. A dejected Scott left the courtroom without talking to reporters. 'There is no doubt that she told a nurse prior to having the miscarriage that she was having the miscarriage, and was left alone without any medical attention,' Smith's attorney, Mark Hammons, said. Attorneys for Whetsel and the county argued that Smith did not mention her pregnancy until the day before the baby was born. 'It's been a long trial, and it's been very difficult on me and my family,' Whetsel said after the verdict was read. A decision against Oklahoma County could have been financially devastating. Carolyn Scatena of the Community Oversight Board said, 'justice did not prevail.' The board was handpicked by the county commission to investigate jail matters. Some commissioners have been critical of Whetsel's operation of the facility. 'This sheriff's department and that jail is an atrocity and an abomination to this county,' Scatena said. There was no word whether Smith will appeal Monday's jury decision. |
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