Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
199177 tn?1490498534

mother that died at AZ airport was on her way to rehab

I find this very sad                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      She was a loving and devoted mother of three children under the age of nine who was on her way to an alcohol rehabilitation facility to seek treatment," Betsy Gotbaum, the victim's stepmother-in-law, said in a statement.

Carol Gotbaum "appears to have been manhandled by the Phoenix Police Department," said Gotbaum, New York City's public advocate. "She cried out for help at the airport, but her pleas appear to have been met by mistreatment."

"We are not jumping to any conclusions, but the circumstances surrounding Carol's death appear to be unusual enough to raise serious questions and warrant a thorough investigation," Betsy Gotbaum said.

Police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said officers checked on Gotbaum regularly while she was detained. During one of the checks, officers found Gotbaum unconscious with her hands "pressed against her neck area," Hill said.

In a statement released later Monday, Hill said Gotbaum had been shackled to a bench as well as being handcuffed. The shackle's chain ran from an eyehook and the other was connected to the chain on Gotbaum's handcuffs.

Hill said officers followed established policy while detaining Carol Gotbaum. He added that police procedures for arresting someone at the airport haven't changed since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Everything, so far that we know, is according to policy," Hill said.

Manning, who was hired by Gotbaum's family to monitor the police investigation, said it doesn't seem possible she could have killed herself.

"It doesn't make any sense," he said. "She was handcuffed behind her back and shackled to a table. It doesn't make sense that she could have physically managed to strangle herself."

Manning, a high-profile lawyer who represented the government against failed savings and loan executive Charles Keating, has previously won settlements against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in wrongful-death lawsuits.

He said the family hasn't decided whether it should file a lawsuit against Phoenix police.

"We're not going to jump to any conclusions without any evidence," he said. "We want to see what the autopsy reveals. We want to see what exactly happened to her."







6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
230843 tn?1200197755
Very sad story indeed! I am interested to see all the facts.  We don't need abusers in our justice system, but we also don't want to jump to that conclusion.  Unfortunately I have seen people harm themselves physically (badly) while just "trying to get the cuffs around to the front" or getting so flustered with them on they create a dangerous situation for themselves..Sad, but true.
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
sodone , I am sure she was having lots of anxiety she was leaving her three kids for rehab then they would not let her on the connection because she was late ,its hard enough to get the nerve up to get help to start . I Feel sooooo bad for the whole family.
Avis
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
she probably had anxiety----that was worse place(airports) when I was bad--panic attacks really bad--I even didn't get on flights because I couldn't---anyway that will be the second time I know of personally when I person has died because of the police not knowing they were reacting to drugs. They'll get it big time if her family fights it.  I know in the last case the family won. I lived in Az in the past.....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am intrigued by this story.  I wonder why she freaked.  I wonder if she was still drinking.  I feel awful for her kids.  Breaks my heart.
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
from what i have heard she missed her connecting flight and she freaked out. So they cuffed her and took her to a holding room ,where is guess she died . I am thinking we will hear more in the upcoming weeks . they are waiting on autopsy results. I feel so for those kids and her family.
Avis
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is sad and I wonder what the circumstances of her arrest were.  What did she do?  Why would a police officer strangle her?  Could it have been another person in custody?  Very odd story.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Social Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
3060903 tn?1398565123
Other
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.