State Says Southfield Paramedic Misled Doctor

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — State authorities said a Southfield paramedic failed to recognize a 20-year-old woman declared dead was actually alive, and misled a doctor by phone about her condition.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Michael Storms, one of four emergency personnel who responded to Timesha Beauchamp's home Aug. 23 after family members found her unresponsive, failed to recognize that she was not dead. Personnel declared Beauchamp dead before she was found breathing by staff at a Detroit Funeral Home.

The license suspension reports that Storms stopped resuscitation efforts six minutes before getting permission from a doctor over the phone.

Later, when Beauchamp's Godmother said she believed the 20-year-old girl was breathing, Storms placed her on a monitor, which showed activity. But no further action was taken, The Associated Press reported.

Storm is one of four first responders who have had their licenses suspended while an investigation ensues into how they failed to notice Beauchamp was alive. All four of the paramedics and EMTs, who also serve as firefighters, remain on paid administrative leave while the city conducts its own internal investigation into the events

Beauchamp is in critical condition at Sinai Grace Hospital and is on a ventilator. She was born with cerebral palsy and has always needed constant medical care, according to The Associated Press.

Geoffrey Fieger, the family's attorney, has questioned actions by personnel at the scene when she had been declared dead, claiming authorities had placed her body in a body bag for about two-and-a-half hours prior to arriving at the funeral home.

Southfield Fire Chief Johnny Menifee said at a news conference following the incident that those claims are erroneous.

Read More:

• Woman, Declared Dead, Begins Breathing At Detroit Funeral Home
  
• Fire Chief Discusses Woman Found Alive At Detroit Funeral Home
  
• Michigan Suspends License Of 2 Paramedics Who Declared Woman Dead

Reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this report.