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Blountstown Police Reports Provide More Details in Death of Barbara Dawson

Blountstown Police Department
Posted at 1:00 PM, Dec 28, 2015
and last updated 2016-05-27 07:47:49-04

BLOUNTSTOWN, FL (WTXL) - The Blountstown Police Department has released two reports filed by officers following the death of a Blountstown woman at the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital last week.

Police say they were called out to the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital last week after Barbara Dawson was reportedly being abusive to staff and other patients.

According to officers, the 57-year-old was discharged, but was insisting on getting more treatment. Dawson's family says she was pleading for medical care and her oxygen tank but neither were provided.

Police say they then handcuffed Dawson and took her to a patrol car, when she collapsed. Doctors re-admitted her, but a short time later, she died.

Hospital officials say her death was from a blood clot in her lungs. The full statement from hospital CEO Ruth Attaway can be read here.

The police department has declined WTXL's public records request for the video and audio mentioned in the reports, citing Florida Statute 406.136. You can read the full accounts from the Blountstown Police Officers by clicking here

On Monday, the Agency for Health Care Administration also announced they will be investigating the hospital.

"Today, the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated an investigation into Calhoun-Liberty Hospital to determine if the hospital violated any state or federal requirements surrounding last week's incident at the hospital. The report will be available online for the state investigation once finalized, if violations are found. If the Agency finds that any state or federal laws have been violated Calhoun-Liberty Hospital will be held accountable," said agency officials.

Hospital officials say they plan to fully cooperate with that investigation.

The NAACP too released a statement Monday morning claiming Dawson's death was the result of "inhumane and negligent treatment" from police and hospital staff.

Click here for the full statement from the NAACP.

Continue checking WTXL.tv for more updates to this story.