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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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