But theres an added complication, as a result of the pandemic. One of the former employees said her hours were cut back after she filed a complaint with human resources. A decade later, its still the place Thompson uses for storing bodies and performing exams on those bodies. endstream endobj 494 0 obj <>/Metadata 49 0 R/Pages 491 0 R/StructTreeRoot 93 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 495 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 491 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 496 0 obj <>stream I care about the citizens, and I know they deserve better. This was a clerical issue that could have been addressed at the time of the original question, not years later, Davidson said. Thats true even for counties that are actively working to improve their existing coroner facilities. So prosecutor/coroners of all stripes those who enjoy the extra work and those who would rather do without it admit the system is flawed. County Code. Credit Courtesy of Cowlitz County Coroner's Office. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. These doctors serve a population of 2.5 million people across a large swath of Washington state. And in some counties, like Bigelows, deputies are turned off by the work. %PDF-1.5 % %%EOF Despite numerous complaints from his employees about Chief Deputy Coroner Brett Dundas, there does not appear to be any action taken, as the witnesses continue to see behavior from Dundas that is indicative of drug abuse, the sheriffs report states. That way we can ensure that it doesnt matter if you die in County A or County B, the people that are coming out and doing those investigations are trained and know what their jobs are rather than just showing up, Davidson said. Commissioners' Agenda - Open Public Meetings. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center doesnt have cold storage because in normal times, remains are picked up promptly by the medical examiner or funeral home, said hospital spokesperson Randy Querin. Before he did, state records show Menchel was the second most active traveler between the summers of 2017 and 2019. She understands the better the morgue, the better she can do the job voters elected her to do. Theres only one person who can do that case. This is necessary so that the public may fully understand the complete scope of allegations made against the Coroners Office, commissioners said in a statement. In September 2021, she became Lewis County deputy coroner. LONGVIEW A recent increase in COVID-19 deaths has overwhelmed Cowlitz Countys storage capacity, prompting the coroner to ask the commissioners declare an emergency to allow the county to bring in a refrigeration trailer. Allegations that Davidson committed fraud broke in April 2021 after the State Auditors Office found he accepted more than $12,600 in personal reimbursements for travel expenses that had been paid by the county between Feb. 10, 2016, and May 10, 2019. Only six counties rely on medical examiners doctors who are highly trained. Every time we hit a roadblock, where we have to fix some minor thing, it gives us time to forget about something else that we need to be doing on that case.. She declined to give a written statement to investigators, who noted in their report that she was very afraid that if she speaks out she will lose her job.. Davidson was reimbursed about $7,800 by WACME and about $4,700 by IACME, according to the auditors report. Presidential battleground states weigh more election funding, Washington creates missing Indigenous people cold case unit, A NJ pastor-politician is gunned down, and a community reels. Spokane County is the only medical examiner office in Eastern Washington. Kegel says it would only be feasible to build a dedicated facility if it was bundled with another county project, or in partnership with neighboring counties. The Daily News File Photo Marissa Heffernan A Washington State Patrol investigation has backed up state auditor findings. On Dec. 15, 2020, the auditors office interviewed Davidson, who acknowledged personally receiving reimbursement funds from the WACME and IACME associations for county-paid travel expenses. He offered to repay the county with personal funds, according to the auditors report. US Army Military Police. Krager said the number of people getting vaccinated daily has been slowly increasing. Hes the prosecutor in Wahkiakum County. Employment Opportunities. Just like the fire department, just like the hospital, just like law enforcement., And sometimes, the extra workload can take prosecuting attorneys by surprise. The funeral directors there didnt want the exam done in their facility, so the body was examined in yet another neighboring county. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I am not sure where to go from here, she wrote. At the time, Davidson served as president of the Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners and traveled to trainings and conferences and for legislative meetings. Records show Davidson was reimbursed personally by WACME and IACME $7,777.90 and $4,824.81, respectively for expenses that were paid by Cowlitz County. 0 When hes not trying cases, hes on call as a volunteer EMT. LONGVIEW, Wash. - A coroner in southwest Washington is under investigation for fraud after the state Auditor's Office said it found he . hmo0^0?$qT!-]C Z'H!Au~wvvwD!P $ 8!1\C@H \\qUTutvlSr\ And like 15 other prosecutors across the state hes also the countys coroner. 503 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<1E03E6EAA3313F4991A72FC3485E4B98>]/Index[493 30]/Info 492 0 R/Length 72/Prev 765865/Root 494 0 R/Size 523/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream He acknowledges that the only way an elected official can effectively carry out the duties of both jobs is if they have adequate support staff, which rarely is the case. What we are seeing is the reality on the ground. According to the report, both associations reimburse individuals for incurred travel expenses if they complete a reimbursement request form and submit receipts. The morgue can hold 10 bodies, but is currently way above that, using gurney tables in the cooling rooms to handle the increase, Davidson said. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Published April 2, 2021. In a case like that, the person determining the cause of death would be the same person arguing whether the death was justified. The office identifies bodies, notifies the next of kin, and returns personal belongings to the family. The investigation started after Aug. 5, 2019 when Cowlitz County notified the Auditors Office about a potential loss of public funds. So coroners like Kegel have to rely on a handful of people who do have the training traveling pathologists, who spend a lot of time in their cars driving across Washington state. Kegel recognizes the monthly rotation is far from perfect. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). In written statements detailed in a report by the Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office, the employees accused Chief Deputy Coroner Brett Dundas of stealing narcotics from death scenes and driving under the influence while on duty. The complainants also said the chief deputy coroners behavior interfered with his ability to do his job. 8K{J_,R_B}L Its small, but it took an hour to finish the tour, with Thompson rattling off a long list of grievances: The autopsy table looks like something that came out of the 1950s, and the nearby garbage disposal doesnt work a majority of the time. "The family has also stated that they might have gotten those comments from the . It's a vent coming from a makeshift morgue rented by the county coroner. He said he stands by his actions as coroner, and that as an elected official, he has full discretion over his offices budget. Stay connected withQ13News on all platforms: DOWNLOAD:Q13 News and Weather AppsWATCH:Q13 News LiveSUBSCRIBE:Q13 FOX on YouTubeFOLLOW:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram. He said those numbers are low compared to the statewide number of 61% with one dose and about 55% completing a vaccine series. He told state auditors in his interview in December 2020 that he made the deposits to bring them all current and pay them off, according to a transcript. Then, theres the potential conflict of interest when prosecutors assume coroner duties. I know what Im doing. She has 15 years of experience as a trained death investigator, with a background in forensic anthropology. LONGVIEW, Wash. - A coroner in southwest Washington is under investigation for fraud after the state Auditors Office said it found he accepted more than $12,000 in personal reimbursements for travel expenses that had been paid by the county. Davidson had no comment, according to the newspaper. Large projects in Longview struggled for funding from state Legislature, Nearly 300 pounds of pharma drugs 'taken back' in Cowlitz County, Kayakers will finally get their launch point on the Coweeman River thanks to port, city of Kelso partnership, PeaceHealth cuts 51 jobs in Southwest Washington, Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help, WSP investigation confirmed auditor findings but dismissed other allegations, county released a statement in April 2021, Cowlitz County's long-awaited new morgue provides needed space, Cowlitz County Coroner Tim Davidson has challenger in early candidate filing, Cowlitz County District 3 race breaks fundraising record; reports show support among local candidates. The Washington State Patrol report confirmed information from the Washington State Auditor Office investigation, which found between Feb. 10, 2016, and May 10, 2019, Cowlitz County Coroner Tim Davidson personally was reimbursed $12,602.71 related to travel expenses from two organizations, even though the county had paid for his travel. Despite the odd hours, Bigelow likes the job. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Clark County Medical Examiner & Coroner, a Coroner & Medical Examiner, at West 13th Street, Vancouver WA. I went and got a concealed weapons license due to my concern of safety, she wrote in an eight-page statement to investigators. Davidson said having a resident forensic pathologist on a salary contract is beneficial because it is easier and more cost effective than paying a traveling pathologist for each case review, toxicology interpretation and autopsy. CNN has reached out to county coroner offices and state police for more information. Notable endorsements:Cowlitz County Commissioner Dennis Weber, Cowlitz County Sheriff Brad Thurman, Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. And in at least one county in Washington, that conflict goes a step further. Box 40021 Olympia, Washington 98504-0021 (564) 999-0950 Pat.McCarthy@sao.wa.gov . Weve had doctors that have come close to cutting themselves, because they cant feel their hands.. With a population of about 4,000 people, and relatively few deaths to respond to as a result, Bigelow says its a much more manageable job in Wahkiakum than elsewhere in the state. In general County Human Resources are available to Elected Officials and we work with them regularly, however we do not have any oversight in their Offices., Upon receiving the state patrols report, Fraidenburg said county leadership met with Davidson about the allegations against Dundas. Cowlitz Countys per capita COVID-19 death rate has been above the state average since January, according to the health department. Coroner Tim Davidson said the morgue and the countys funeral homes are maxed out on capacity and are being creative to maintain cold storage. Its why shes advocating to move this space into her main office 10 minutes down the road. He says that would disproportionately affect places in his rural county, which is more than 30 miles from the Interstate 5 corridor. Bigelow wears a lot of hats. Cowlitz County Coroner Dr. Timothy Davidson confirmed to KOIN 6 News at least eight county residents died due to COVID-19 between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6. I was scared of (Dundas), and that he could be a threat to me.. Tucker left the Lewis County Coroner's Office when she was elected coroner of Cowlitz County in November 2022. In the final part of our three-part series examining death investigation in Washington state, well meet a woman in Central Washington who is still grappling with her mothers death eight years later and the stack of death certificates that left her with more questions than answers. Department: Coroner's Office Union Affiliated: No Reports to: Coroner Pages: 1 - 3 General Position Summary: This position has the authority of a Deputy Coroner. Building & Planning. And when it does, what WACME is thinking of doing may end up being forced on us before were ready, Bigelow said. Not only did Davidson ignore their concerns, they said, but he also discouraged them from talking to human resources. endstream endobj 22 0 obj <> endobj 23 0 obj <> endobj 24 0 obj <>stream The woman later sought counseling through an employee assistance program from the county, to treat anxiety and depression that she says resulted from her experiences in the coroners office. One of them said she witnessed Dundas putting pills in his mouth before leaving a scene where he had collected narcotics. There have been at least 9,170 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cowlitz County since the start of the pandemic, according to Washington State Department of Health (DOH) data from September 6. You have permission to edit this article. View Timothy Davidson's full profile. ?n2Do*uM?ogZ(pD #\! 4,Iyv 7.5K views, 21 likes, 0 loves, 83 comments, 49 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Cowlitz County News: #BREAKING Cowlitz County Coroner Tim Davidsons. I hope the community looks at what the office has done in past, where were headed and the goals I have for expanding educational opportunities for students.. According to the report, both associations reimburse individuals for incurred travel expenses if they complete a reimbursement request form and submit receipts. The report noted that Davidson was well aware of the suspicions from his staff, but allowed Dundas to keep the key to the storage unit where prescriptions were kept.