An anonymous tip received in April 2022 led the sheriff's office to investigate Fetting and Kettlewell. Employees brought in a cake to the office that contained a black penis made of frosting the day after George Floyds death, and pornographic images of mostly men were placed on a wall and computer screen-savers, officials said. Spitz took over the medical examiner role in the mid-2000s, following in the footsteps of his well-known father, Dr. Werner Spitz. In 2007, the county opened a new state-of-the-art morgue at a cost of $2.4 million in the county complex near Groesbeck Highway and Elizabeth Road. Printed images of naked men and penis-shaped confetti scattered on desks, counters and the floor. A fourth member of staff is currently under investigation, Macomb County's Director of Human Resources, Andrew. Macomb, MI. In a workplace dispute that is nowin the hands of the U.S. Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein. A cake decorated with a black penis has sparked grave allegations of workplace racism at a Michigan morgue. Maybe they'll recognize him by that.". The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The 2020 firings prompted the county and Spitz to insert language into his new contract with the county, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to clarify he does not manage the office. Regarding criminal charges against the two employees, Wickersham said investigators from his office were meeting with Macomb prosecutors Friday for potential issuance of warrants. Suggest Listing They were fired. He or she then prepares a written autopsy report. The 32-year-old woman stole drugs. Jocelyn Fetting, 32, is accused of taking drugs from the medical examiners office with intent to sell them, officials said. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. It was thatcakethat pushed one employee too far so she filed thecomplaint with the federal government. A death investigator. 43525 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. The Macomb Daily reported that the four employees, a group comprised of a two morgue technicians, an investigator and the manager, were fired on Thursday following a July 18 complaint issued by. Job in Woodstock - McHenry County - IL Illinois - USA , 60098. Can you suggest a cheap hotel? While authorities were interviewing all the employees, Fetting and Kettlewell admitted to pocketing drugs. To sign up for email updates from Macomb County or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your email address. The Medical Examiner's office will be closed on the following days: Medical Examiner - Frequently Asked Questions. Contract position. His tenure has included additional controversies. The development has prompted Hackel and his administration to look into the countys existing four-year, $2.5 million contract with Dr. Daniel Spitz of Spitz Pathology Group that went into effect last January. "We needed more control over what's going on with managing the facility, employees that are over there," Hackel said. Please contact the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office at 313-833-2504 to find out how to obtain a copy of the autopsy report. Find 4 Coroners & Medical Examiners within 36.2 miles of Wayne County Medical Examiner & Coroner. THREE employees at a morgue in Michigan have been fired after a worker brought a cake decorated with an image of a black penis into the lunch room, according to a report. 3 The Macomb County Morgue Credit: Macomb County They involved one worker bringing in a cake with a Black penis in its frosting the day after the murder of George Floyd. A Macomb County couple is facing murder charges in the Christmas Day death of their 18-month-old daughter who had enough fentanyl in her to kill several adults, authorities said Monday. When the parents arrived, theyhad difficulty identifying the body, unsure that it was their son. They also work with Macomb County police and sheriff's offices to investigate suspicious or violent deaths. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Keith Appling was sentenced to 18-40 years in prison following his guilty plea for a fatal shooting in 2021. The Macomb County Health Department operates the Medical Examiner's (ME) office, which is charged with investigating deaths due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician. "I have witnessed prior employees resign due to constant bullying and ridicule for 'not being onboard'with the office culture," the new complaint states. Blood-soaked Idaho crime scene 'major challenge' for investigators, expert says, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Los Angeles County Office of Decedent Affairs (County Morgue/Cemetery) Phone: (323) 409-7161. einouye@dhs.lacounty.gov. . FOX 2 Detroit. Key Information Hours Staff are available to take your calls Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 586-469-5214. The two employees fired for taking drugs were investigated, the results of which were provided to the county Prosecutors Office, which did not return a request Monday for an update on the case. The offensive cake was served one day after George Floyd died while in police custody, the Detroit Free Press reported. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office investigated 3,061 deaths, performed 531 complete autopsies, 121 external examinations. Self-Service Web. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday that a woman has been sentenced to spend at least 27 years in prison for the starvation death. Morgue employees often take medicine found at a . Hayden will spend 27.5 to 50 years in prison. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Three female morgue workers were fired as part of the investigation last week. Not only was the cake offensive, says one investigator, but it highlighteda chronic problem at the morgue that has now cost three employees their jobs. On May 26the day after George Floyd died while being arrested in Minneapolis, inflaming the nation a staff member who was not on duty brought in a medium-sized sheet cake that had been decorated with a black penis. However, the doctor said that the child was already showing signs of rigor mortis and the baby had been dead for a few hours before he was brought into the hospital. If you would like to subscribe for text alerts please select Text Updates in the drop-down menu. A man working for a company contracted by the Wayne County morgue is accused of breaking into a home of a deceased person he reportedly helped transport the day prior. So she filed a complaint with the EEOC and Macomb County. "We dont want anyone working in a place thats unwelcoming, unsafe and not inclusive," said Macomb County Human Resources Director Andrew McKinnon. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you . Friends remember Detroit sports media mainstay Jamie Samuelsen, Mitch Albom: Burying the unclaimed dead shows the greatest respect for life, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, A decomposed body of an African American male had arrived at the morgue. It was also alleged Black families of deceased individuals were treated differently by morgue employees, and employees who complained were bullied. Both employees were fired in December. 2. Nine months later, a Ferndale man overdosed on multiple prescription pain . Morgue employees often. The 50-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, both morgue technicians, were dismissed following a Sheriffs Office investigation into 20 missing hydrocodone pills that should have made it to the evidence room but did not. Expect More from Local 4 News at 5. View map of Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, and get driving directions from your location. Man Threatens To Shoot Up Macomb Co. McDonald's: Sheriff, Clinton Township Woman Injured In Detroit Freeway Shooting: Police, Clinton Township Woman Steals Money From Senior Care Trust Fund: AG, Pre-Planning Seminar with Resurrection Cemetery, Detroit Mercy's Antoine Davis Falls Just Short Of NCAA Record, Pandemic Emergency Food Stamp Benefits End For 1.3M In Michigan, When Will It Feel Like Spring In MI: Farmers Almanac Outlook, 3 Open Houses For You In The Clinton Township Area. A death investigator at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office filed a July 18 complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the explicit cake an off-duty staffer.. The offensive cake was. But, maybe also check first with the place where she would be cremated, make sure they will take her after a couple days Back in 2017 we debunked a story that a Texas . See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Macomb County Morgue locations in Adair, MI. Admin Assistant, Clerical. Both employees were fired in December. People complained, she claims. Kettlewell is charged with larceny, a 93-day misdemeanor, and use of a controlled substance, a one-year misdemeanor. Details of a proposed deal are not provided in meeting documents. The new language was instituted following a scandal at the same facilty in which three morgue employees were fired in July 2020 for sexist and potentially racist behavior. In addition to the county, defendants include William Ridella, retired director of Macomb County Public Health; Deputy County Executive Andrew McKinnon, who was director of Human Resources at the time; and county Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz and his company, Spitz Pathology Group. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. Terms and Conditions. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, three female employees with the Medical Examiner's office were fired last week for alleged workplace misbehavior that one workersays went on for at least five years. The cake was taken into the conference area, which also served as the office lunch room, where it wasshared by morgue workers and supervisors. They'll just say they were upset,' " states the complaint. Read more Health - Medical Examiner Fees At a Friday morning news conference held at the offices of the Communications and Technology Center and Roads Department in Mount Clemens, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced two morgue employees were terminated last week and likely will face criminal charges for stealing drugs collected at death scenes and on their way to an evidence room. Hackel said they do not believe the employees were working together, but were aware of what the other was doing. Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner/Coroner's Office. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Find 13 external resources related to Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner. Two former employees of the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office were charged Wednesday with several crimes relating to stolen prescription medication from the morgue. "All these cities are on fire for the Black Lives Matter movement, and here's my staff eating a black penis cake as a joke? Posted: April 16, 2021. Watch the 5 p.m. news live right now on Local 4+. Ex-morgue. Justice was served today for little Amar," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Two employees with the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office are facing charges after authorities allege they stole drugs from people at the morgue. One employee supposedly resold the drugs while the other kept them for personal use, they said. February 2, 2023 / 6:38 PM In 2013, the county Board of Commissioners balked at renewing his contract after former employees accused Spitz of a tyrannical regime and forcing them out after he took over. First published on February 2, 2023 / 6:38 PM. Commissioners wanted him to be more responsive to questions and expressed concerns about operations. McKinnon said that the threeterminated employees were let go for being part of a sexual discriminatory workplace,not for racism, and that investigators have not been able to substantiate any allegations involvingracism. Hackel requested more control over that part of the operation. Use of automated data search and programs is not supported by this . The investigation has been going on for a "few months.". The Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, located in Clinton, MI, keeps death records for individuals who passed away in Clinton. Please enter valid email address to continue. Forensic Examinations 572 Local deaths (those that occur within the boundaries of Macomb County) that fall under the jurisdiction of The Medical Assistant interviews patients, measures vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight and height), and records information on patients' charts. Clemens, MI 48043 According to McKinnon, the current investigation does not involvechief Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who is a contract employee with the county. When those families show up at the morgue, she says, "I havebeen told, 'Go deal with your people,' ". 200,000 lose power as snowstorm blankets Detroit region, St. Mary student to compete in her fourth Macomb County Regional Spelling Bee, Macomb County prepares for inclement weather, Warren man charged with 2nd-degree murder in Royal Oak womans death, Ford to raise production as US auto sales start to recover, Man arraigned in Warren Dollar General robberies, Lorenzo Cultural Centers new program series highlights post-WWII societal change presentations, performances and exhibits, Macomb Sheriff switches motorcycle unit from Harley-Davidson to BMW, SE Michigan under winter storm warning; 6-8 inches of snow expected, Warren man charged with 2nd-degree murder in Royal Oak woman's death, Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several Macomb County cities, Sterling Heights mom has spent months looking for son, Ray Twp. Three employees at the Macomb County Medical Examiner's office have been fired amid an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and racism. Macomb County deputies were called at about 8 a.m. Sunday to the . The area the county should look at is the chain of command that oversees the Medical Examiners Office, which falls under the county Health Department. A fourth employee a manager is on paid-leave, according to The Macomb Daily, after the four employees reportedly displayed pornographic photos in the office and on their computers. She noted the masks provide protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. A pathologist who studies the cause and effects of disease and injury, then gathers specimens of the organs and body fluids for testing. The assistant prosecutors trying the case argued to have her sentence be at the top of the guidelines and succeeded. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner, a Coroner & Medical Examiner, at Elizabeth Street, Clinton MI. "She began to laugh and stated, 'Yes, I did,' " the complaint states. "I have witnessed co-workers crying at their desks, crying in the parking lot, and crying in the bathroom of the building," her complaint states. Spitz declined comment. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. They discovered minimal oversight of the evidence room and the chain of custody for items, often drugs, taken from death scenes, officials said. Hayden brought the 7-month-old to the emergency room where a physician tried to save the baby's life. "So what we decided to do was come up with more stringent protocols in place for us to have oversight to give us access to understanding more of what was being done over there, (this evidence room) was one of those areas that kind of came out as being problematic.". Thats not a good policy to have with an evidence room, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. During the probe, sheriffs investigators questioned the entire staff of 19. Both Kettlewell and Fetting were arraigned Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 41B District Court. Fetting is charged with conspiracy to commit controlled substance - delivery/manufacture, two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture, and larceny in a building. Hackel and Wickersham declined to provide the specific kind of drug, the amount that was taken or when it happened. Was she whining, overly sensitive? Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the medical examiners office had drugs so it could compare it to medication found in toxicology reports. Phone: (323) 343-0512. Macomb County officials on Thursday will consider settling a federal lawsuit filed over two years ago by a former morgue employee who claims she was fired for reporting health and safety violations. Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. I prepared the contract and submitted it to the county, he said. That role was fully granted to county officials. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The Detroit Free Press reported. At a Friday morning news conference held at the offices of the Communications and Technology Center and Roads Department in Mount Clemens, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced two. "I find this conduct and these statements offensive and appalling," states the complaint, which also alleges numerous sexual harassment incidents. The Macomb County Medical Examiner & Coroner creates death records that can be used in criminal investigations, to resolve insurance claims, or to monitor Clinton public health. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. The Medical Examiner's office also determines whether or not autopsies should be conducted. But when she thought about the cake, her blood boiled. Privacy Policy Macomb County officials on Thursday will consider settling a federal lawsuit filed over two years ago by a former morgue employee who claims she was fired for reporting health and safety. Macomb County to consider settling lawsuit by, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Macomb County to consider settling lawsuit by fired morgue employee, Not again. The data and information on this website is made available by the Office of the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds as a convenience to the public. Confiscation of the drugs is used to determine whether a toxicology report stemming from an autopsy matches drugs found at the scene. The investigator responded no, then asked if she herself had frosted the cake with a black penis. Spitzs inactive role in management was clarified in the new deal approved last December effective Jan. 1. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.