Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Public Sector Gulags

The world will never know how Eric Perez died

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Ursus:
Carol Marbin Miller's above article also appeared in the Palm Beach Post the following day, July 29th, with a slightly different title and with four pics.

Comments for this latter publication, "Mom will get video of teenage son's death in lockup" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 29, 2011; The Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post):


booradley · 9:05 AM, 7/29/2011
You must be kidding. This kid gets stopped for a bicycle light, then searched, then incarcerated for a small quantity of marijuana, gets ignored for an ailment then dies. This is one f*ked up law enforcement nightmare. Talk about overzelous enforcement. He was arrested because a cop wanted a reason to go off the road to process a "criminal". What probable cause for a bike light resulted in a search? what a lazy, good for nothing bunch of cops and GED educated caretakers. We get what we pay for.L smith · 9:49 AM, 7/29/2011
i AM OUTRAGED! THIS IS DISQUSTING, ARE WE LIVING IN SOME THORD WORLD COUNTRY WERE WE TAKE KIDS (FOR A SMALL INFRACTION) AND THROUGH THEM INTO JAIL, KNOWING **** WELL THEY CANT AFFORD TO HIRE AN ATTY OR BAIL! AND THEN LET THEM DIE! I AM SO AFRAID OF WHAT IS HAPENING HERE. AND WALTERS SAYS SHES INVESTIGATING, PLEASE THATS LIIKE THE HENS GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE. HOPE MOM GETS A BIG LAWYERS AND SUES THE HELL OUT OF THEM ALL!!!Damien · 10:04 AM, 7/29/2011
If someone from the family is reading these posts, please tell mom not to view the recording and allow her attorney to do so for her. As a parent whose son also died in a tragic accident which was cought on video, we chose not to view it ourselves as it would be more devastating than one can immagine. Let her remember he son as he was, alive. Sincere condolances to the family.Correction · 1:01 PM, 7/29/2011
The youth was taken into custody because his underlying charges were more severe. He was probably on probation, violating his curfew at 1:30 am in the morning in West Palm Beach, he was 17 at the time, his family lived in Port St. Lucie, why was this? If he was on probation, why wasn't he being supervised by the parent as ordered by the court?JK · 1:11 PM, 8/2/2011
This is so horrible and can't believe they allowed this to happen. Sad story and I send my thoughts and prayers to the family involved. I hope they get some justice by showing how horrible these people treat others. We need to seriously change our marijuana laws as he should have not been detained for having a non-toxic plant on him that hurt nobody (prime example of prohibition not working because of the laws ending up hurting, destroying lives, and killing somebody).

Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.

Ursus:
Here's an Editorial from TCPalm...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Editorial: Promises of improvements at Florida juvenile detention centers fail to prevent teen's death

editorial board
TCPalm
Posted July 29, 2011 at 4 a.m.

Maritza Perez believes her son should not have died while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Detention Center.

An investigation into the July 10 death of Treasure Coast resident Eric Perez, 18, by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the West Palm Beach Police Department may prove her right.

The teenager was arrested June 28 for alleged possession of marijuana in violation of probation from a robbery charge. He died a few days before he was to be released from the center.

Perez became ill early on the morning of July 10 and, for hours, screamed and vomited, but received no medical care at the lockup, according to reports, primarily from The Miami Herald and The Palm Beach Post. After paramedics finally arrived, he was pronounced dead. A cause of death has yet to be released.

Following the death of Perez, four members of the staff, including Superintendent Anthony Flowers, were suspended and two people — a supervisor and a guard — were fired, allegedly for failing to call 911 as they were required to do under the circumstances.

But, that fired guard said he was twice told by his bosses not to call 911. In an interview with The Miami Herald, Floyd Powell, 35, who has filed a suit against the state for wrongful termination, said, "I was going to call 911, but my supervisor looked me in the face and said, 'He'll be fine. Don't call 911.' "

Rather, Powell said, he was directed to call a nurse, identified as as Diana Heras, to ask for "guidance."

The staff was unable to reach the nurse.

In an interview herself with The Miami Herald, Heras said, "Nobody works there at night. There is no state funding for night nurses for any night of the week. They do not have a nurse who works at that ... facility on the night shift, and they do not work weekends."

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters has denied that budget shortfalls had anything to do with the death of Perez, but it may have been caused by a failure to follow proper procedures.

All the finger-pointing about who did what or who did not do what won't bring back the life of this teenager who died under the custody and, theoretically, under the protection of the state.

Who should we believe about what actually happened and why medical care was not provided to someone in obvious need?

There is a video recording of some of what happened in the detention center. But, on July 1 a state law took effect banning the release of photos, videos or audio recordings that relate to the death of a person. Such videos may only be seen by law enforcement or immediate family. Violation is a third-degree felony.

The existence of this videotape in this case clearly demonstrates why such recordings ought to be public record, so citizens can see how effective state workers are.

Following the investigations into the death of Perez, additional disciplinary measures may be taken. And, officials may say new measures will be adopted to prevent similar occurrences.

But, that's what they said eight years ago when 17-year-old Omar Paisley died at a juvenile detention center in Dade County. But there has been another death and, somehow, new pledges of "never again" will sound terribly hollow.

Answers to what happened in the Perez death may not bring peace. But, they need to be forthcoming.


© 2011 TCPalm.

Ursus:
This next flurry of articles and blog posts almost begs belief. Despite having a policy of paying the funeral costs of youth who have deceased while in the DJJ's care, inexplicably, in this case, that policy seems to have been revoked.

I guess the probability of an impending lawsuit has superseded simply "doing the right thing," and the case of Eric Perez has been reassigned to ... the "Dept. of Risk Management."

Here's a piece from the Palm Beach Post's political blog, Post On Politics:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

CFO Atwater stops payment for funeral costs for teen who died in DJJ custody in Palm Beach County

by Dara Kam | July 29th, 2011

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater's office has blocked a payment to cover the costs of the funeral of Eric Perez, the 18-year-old who died while in state custody in a Palm Beach County juvenile detention facility on July 10.

The Department of Juvenile Justice had promised to pay $5,000 towards the cost of Perez' funeral, as it has done twice before in the past two years.

Atwater, in charge of the state's check book, had gone so far as to print a $5,000 check for Tillman Funeral Home in West Palm Beach on July 13.

But before DJJ officials released it to the funeral home, Atwater's office asked that the money be returned.

"Since the agency does not have statutory authority to make the payment, we are requesting a warrant cancellation for the following vendor payment," Mark Merry, head of the Department of Financial Services auditing department, wrote to DJJ in an e-mail on Tuesday.

DJJ has had a policy of paying up to $5,000 towards funeral costs for children who die in their custody since 2008, department spokesman C.J. Drake said. Since then, the department has twice paid families the maximum amount – once in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

Discussions are now underway between the two agencies about how the payment can be made, Drake said.

"So far everyone's been very cooperative and agreeable. We just have to resolve it. I'm confident that we're going to make the payment," he said.

Tags: Department of Financial Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Eric Perez, Jeff Atwater

This entry was posted on Friday, July 29th, 2011 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Dara Kam, Rick Scott, state agencies.


Copyright 2011 The Palm Beach Post.

Ursus:
Here's the longer news article that above blog author Dara Kam wrote for the Palm Beach Post:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

Atwater snatches back check for burial of 18-year-old who died at Juvenile center

By DARA KAM
Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau

Updated: 7:40 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011
Posted: 6:05 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011


Eric Perez Photo provided

TALLAHASSEE — Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater's office has blocked a payment to cover the costs of the funeral of Eric Perez, the 18-year-old who died while in state custody in a Palm Beach County juvenile detention facility on July 10.

The Department of Juvenile Justice had promised to pay $5,000 towards the cost of Perez' funeral, as it has done twice before in the past two years.

Atwater, in charge of the state's checkbook, had gone so far as to print a $5,000 check for Tillman Funeral Home in West Palm Beach on July 13, state records show.

But before DJJ officials released it to the funeral home, Atwater's office asked that the money be returned.

"Since the agency does not have statutory authority to make the payment, we are requesting a warrant cancellation for the following vendor payment," Mark Merry, head of the Department of Financial Services auditing department, wrote to DJJ in an e-mail on Tuesday.

Instead DJJ should seek payment from the Division of Risk Management, which handles insurance and claims against the state, a later e-mail advised.

As of Friday, Perez' family had not filed a lawsuit against DJJ in connection with the death.

Since 2008 DJJ has had a policy of paying up to $5,000 towards funeral costs for children who die in its custody, department spokesman C.J. Drake said. Since then, the department has twice paid families the maximum amount -- once in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

"The CFO wants to have resolution on this claim and in a timely manner for the family," Atwater spokeswoman Anna Alexopoulos said in an e-mail. She did not say why the payment was referred to the risk management division.

Richard Schuler, a lawyer representing Perez' mother Maritza Perez, said he was unaware of the funeral payments.

"I'm sure that it would be very helpful for her to have that under these circumstances," Schuler said.

Discussions are now underway between the two agencies about how the payment can be made, Drake said.

"So far everyone's been very cooperative and agreeable. We just have to resolve it. I'm confident that we’re going to make the payment," he said.

Perez, 18, died following seven hours of vomiting, hallucinating and complaining of severe headaches that were largely ignored by workers at the West Palm Beach detention center, according to officials reports of the incident. Two guards have been suspended, and DJJ and West Palm Beach police are separately investigating Perez' death.

Palm Beach Post staff writer Michael Laforgia contributed to this story.

Dara_Kam@pbpost.com


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "Atwater snatches back check for burial of 18-year-old who died at Juvenile center" (by Dara Kam; July 29, 2011; The Palm Beach Post):


Rawhide · 6:44 PM, 7/29/2011
way to go Atwater, is that how you ran Riverside bankWhat No Reach Around? · 6:47 PM, 7/29/2011
I hope Atwater gives the $5000.00 to **** Scott to give out as a tax break for the ultra wealthy. They need it.OK! · 6:51 PM, 7/29/2011
Great Job! Another nail in the coffin of the Republican Tea Party!buddy · 6:56 PM, 7/29/2011
The GOP loves to kick a dead horse! Thanks Jeffdavid · 8:31 PM, 7/29/2011
atwater would rather put him in garbage bag.its not bad enough that where going to give this family millions because they like to kill the poor.so lets show them how stupid the republicans are.checksinthemail · 9:16 PM, 7/29/2011
"Richard Schuler a lawyer representing Perez'" mother.
Says it all, Scott's going to wish he'd cut that $5000
check by the time this gets to a jury.Easy Ed · 10:04 PM, 7/29/2011
Jethro Atewater is a complete piece of garbage and always has been!Garl · 8:24 AM, 7/30/2011
All previous comments criticize the state's Chief Financial Officer FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW. He did NOT say that the state would not pay the funeral expenses, only that they would be paid by the correct agency with the correct funds. Your partisanship is so over the top that you are blinded to legalities. Get a grip, folks. Then again, both the headline and the article pushed you into believing that Atwater hates dead kids. Disgusting.denny wood · 12:16 PM, 7/30/2011
Atwater, as President of the Senate did not care that his guest restroom outside his entrance door on the 4th floor, was not usable for people in wheelchairs. His Sgt. of Arms, annually perpetuated many Senate ADA violations. Even as Comptroller, all the restrooms on their floors cannot be used by someone in a wheelchair. He does not care. The ADA Capitol Report is at http://www.dignity4diabled,com as well as the citizen remedy which is directed ADA violator who now "wants to obey the law".[/list]
So so sad · 1:30 PM, 7/30/2011
This is all pretty sad considering Atwater is from Palm Beach County actually he probably still lives there and does his Tallahassee job remotely. Where have we heard that line before with statewide officials who got in trouble for it big time.
Above for Denny Wood --- You have no idea the deals with the devil Atwater did while Senate President that will come back to haunt this state for years. While I'm sensitive to ADA issues, that's just the very top of the surface sad to say.Say WHAT!?!?!? · 2:38 PM, 7/30/2011
1) The Perez family is not entitled to nor does it say anywhere that the state should pay for this young man's funeral

2) The check was "stopped" ONLY BECAUSE the money was drawn from the wrong account. The Perez family will have their moneytrader · 5:44 PM, 7/30/2011
The dope pusher that sold him the drugs should be paying. But, of course he can't be prosecuted because he is a minor too! Get the freaking drugs out of school! This country is breaking apart. We have murderers walking free and law abiding citizens charged with crime for defending themselves. Wake Up!tonia · 8:39 AM, 7/31/2011
They should pay. They may be the ones who killed him by giving him pills like the were doing in the other juvenile centers, that just made the news two months ago. The mother need to find out the cause of her childs death 1st and not so much on how to pay for a burial. To the mother. Get youself a good Lawyer and then you can put him and your family at rest$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ you feel me.Pitwawa · 6:33 PM, 7/31/2011
I wonder if the same thing were to happen if this had been his nephew or his child? It is so easy to say no when it does not affect you.Lillyldy · 4:02 PM, 8/1/2011
How'd this kid die again? Has the autopsy come back yet? Sure Deputies need to be suspended for not getting him medical attention, but everything else needs to be put on hold until its determined what killed him.
Bottom line, sorry for the family's loss, but he should've never been in there to begin with!! He was in JAIL!! DJJ / Jail...the SAME!
Again are we going to reward some bad parenting with a check and a greedy lawyer? Come on!! Where does it end?Kevin · 4:14 PM, 8/1/2011
@TRADER WTF YOU TALKING IM CONFUSED

Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.

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