The Cleveland Division of Police Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team (UDFIT) is investigating the death of a 37 year old female that occurred Wednesday, November 12 at approximately 10:40 pm outside of 1374 Ansel Rd. Third district officers responded to 1374 Ansel Rd after receiving a broadcast assignment for a mentally ill family member disturbing. Responding officers arrived at 10:51. Officers spoke with the family and the mentally ill female. After lengthy discussions with the officers, the female agreed to be escorted to Saint Vincent Charity Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
As the officers escorted the female to the police vehicle she began actively resisting the officers. Once handcuffed, the woman continued to resist officers attempts to place her in the police car. The woman began to kick at officers. A short time later the woman stopped struggling and appeared to go limp. Officers found a faint pulse on the victim and immediately called EMS and a supervisor to respond to the scene at 11:34. EMS and and Fire responded and treated the woman before conveying her to the Cleveland Clinic emergency room where she was pronounced dead at 12:30 am.
The Cleveland Division of Police UDFIT team was notified and responded as is protocol for all in custody deaths. Preliminary investigation reveals that earlier in the evening a different police car had responded to the same location for a call of a mentally ill family member. The car that responded determined, based on their observations and conversation with the female and family members, the situation did not warrant a crisis intervention at that time.
During the course of the investigation it was learned that the woman did in fact suffer from mental illness and other medical conditions.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and will identify decedent and determine final cause of death.
This incident remains under investigation.
Cleveland Division of Police 