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| This surveillance video on YouTube shows a frame of the Jamaican woman on the floor receiving no assistance. (Photo: CaribWorldNews) | |
By Erline Andrews
NEW YORK, United States, July 4, 2008 - To news consumers around the world, Esmin Green was simply a blue gown-clad figure lying ignored on the floor of a hospital waiting room. But 49 years ago, the dead woman was a cheerful resident of St. Catherine, Jamaica, who served for a while as a teacher while raising six children, CWN has learnt.
St Catherine is a parish located in the south east of Jamaica and is one of the island's largest parishes. It includes the first capital of Jamaica, San Jago de la Vega or Santiago de la Vega (St. James of the Plain), currently known as Spanish Town.
Eight years ago, in a move for greener pastures, Green migrated to the U.S. alone, according to Irwine Clare of the Caribbean Immigrant Services. She became an integral part of a Canarsie, Brooklyn church community, with many coming to know her simply as `Sister Green.` And she worked hard as a housekeeper and a day-care worker to send money back to Jamaica to take care of her children.
She was `somebody who wakes up the day,` Jamaica`s N.Y. Consul General Geneive Brown Metzger told CWN yesterday, adding that Green was `very active in her church` and `very well-respected and well-loved.`
But last week, Green, who reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown some two years ago, called 911 to pay another visit to the King`s County, Brooklyn hospital.
But after waiting for hours for a bed, Green collapsed onto the waiting room floor. Green was left unattended for more than an hour on the floor of the psychiatric waiting room on June 19th after falling from her seat. Security camera footage, released on Tuesday, shows patients and staff ignoring her.
Green`s cause of death is yet to be determined but to her distraught children, including a fourteen-year-old son and eldest daughter, Tecia Harrison, the way their mother died was completely shocking.
Patrick Beckford, northeast director of the Jamaican Diaspora told CWN yesterday that he has been in touch with Harrison. `She said, `Not even a dog is treated that way,` Beckford said.
Now he wants those responsible for Green`s death to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
`I think criminal negligence charges should be pursued against everybody involved. This is wanton disregard for human life,` said Beckford, adding that he is trying to arrange a meeting with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other city officials to discuss the matter.
New York City`s Health and Hospital Corporation, which oversee King`s County, has insisted that `immediately after the incident was discovered on June 20, and following a preliminary investigation by HHC staff, HHC President Alan D. Aviles directed the suspension and termination of those involved.`
`The case and video surveillance tapes were immediately turned over to a number of health oversight agencies, medical misconduct boards and law enforcement,` the statement added. ` As a result of this tragic incident, we will put into place additional and significant reforms to help ensure the care and safety of psychiatric patients under our care is not compromised.`
Four employees and two security guards were fired, and city investigators are considering filing criminal charges.
Counsel General Brown Metzger, for her part, says the Jamaica
consulate and the Jamaican government are working to help Green`s family `in anyway they can.`
Arrangements are now being made to have Green`s body flown back to Jamaica for burial and HHC has indicated they will pick up the tab of the funeral.
Meanwhile, a viewing and memorial service will be held for Green at her church, Jesus Is Lord in Canarsie, 8125 Glenwood Rd. at the corner of 82nd Street, on Sunday July 6th from 3 to 5 p.m. (CaribWorldNews)
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