Woman In Critical Condition After Collapsing In Baltimore PD Custody
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A 52-year-old woman is in critical condition after collapsing while in Baltimore Police Department custody Sunday, Baltimore PD Commissioner Kevin Davis said in a press conference Monday afternoon.
Police are launching a full investigation into the incident, but Davis is stressing she was not a victim of excessive force. Police officials say one of their main reasons for discussing the case is to stay upfront and remain transparent with the public.
The biggest question is what led to this prisoner becoming so sick that she needed to be taken from a holding cell to a hospital bed?
The commissioner said because of so many unanswered questions at this time, the lieutenant in the case was suspended, and the other two officers involved were put on administrative duty.
"I'm satisfied that there was absolutely no use of force whatsoever," said Commissioner Davis.
Commissioner Davis is making it crystal clear.
Whatever caused a 52 year old woman in their custody to end up in critical condition after collapsing in her cell was not the result of how police handled the arrest.
"The only mystery associated with this incident so far is what preexisting medical condition or what other issues occurred that would cause this detainee to suffer this health crisis," said Davis.
Officials say this happened Sunday morning, in the 100 block of South Calverton Rd., in southwest Baltimore.
Police searched for the unnamed woman on a open warrant out of Calvert County.
For unknown reasons, police officials say the woman was first taken home for a brief period, before being placed in a prisoner transport van.
police say by mid-afternoon, the prisoner was brought to the southwest district. Several officers then found the detainee unconscious in her cell.
What she was sick with remains somewhat of a medical mystery.
"A health condition, perhaps something related to substance abuse, but we do not believe at this point that it's related to an injury," said Baltimore PD Deputy Commissioner Jason Johnson.
Officials also noted that most of what happened was captured on police body cam and inside the transport van.
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