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Lawmakers, Parents Outraged by Nurse in Boot
Camp Beating Video
By Victoria Langley WJHG.com, (Undated posting.
Probably late Feb.) 2006
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A review of public records shows the nurse in
the videotaped beating of Martin Lee Anderson at the Bay County boot
camp has been disciplined before.
Anderson’s parents, lawmakers and the public
are outraged that nurse Kristin Schmidt stood by as the boy
collapsed. Those who’ve seen the videotape are calling for
authorities to investigate her conduct too.
Surveillance video appears to show nurse
Kristin Schmidt yelling at Martin Lee Anderson just before a
deputy’s knee takes the 14-year-old down. She stands off to the side
for several minutes as deputies use force on the limp teen,
eventually walking away.
Schmidt finally returns and kneels at Martin’s
side, pulling out her stethoscope to listen to his heart. Deputies
then begin running for help. Several minutes after that, nurse
Schmidt is seen walking away again as the unconscious teen is loaded
onto a stretcher.
Martin’s father was infuriated after seeing the
video Friday.
“And the nurse stood around and do nothing.
Nothing. Not a thing. Didn’t call the ambulance or nothin’ ‘til it
was too late.”
Schmidt works for the Bay County Sheriff’s
Office. A review of her personnel records show she was disciplined
in 1993 by the state nursing board and fined $250. The documents
don’t say what she did wrong.
After watching the video, state Rep. Curtis
Richardson thinks the nurse should lose her license. He’s calling
for the state to review her conduct.
“That was just absolutely uncalled for. The
outrage even grew when I saw a medical professional standing there,
observing this and not providing any assistance.”
Although the deputies involved have been
reassigned, Schmidt has not been disciplined by the Sheriff’s
Office.
Under Department of Health Board of Nursing
guidelines, anyone can make a complaint about a nurse’s conduct. The
board even has a toll-free hotline, although they prefer complaints
in writing.
Investigations typically take several months to
complete.
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