A group of Miami-Dade paramedics is under investigation after allegedly abandoning a critically ill woman on her kitchen floor to respond to another emergency.
On January 26, 52-year-old Tasheba Anderson, who had undergone gastric bypass surgery six months earlier, experienced severe stomach pain at her Opa-locka, Florida, home, CBS Miami reported.
Anderson had reportedly been hospitalized multiple times for similar issues, and her family called 911 when her condition worsened. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics arrived at the scene and began treating her.
However, they allegedly left her behind to respond to a fire nearby, promising to return.
According to Anderson's sister, Audrey Bend, the paramedics wrapped a sheet around Anderson's neck before leaving, despite her pleas for help.
"They could have saved her life," Bend told CBS Miami. "They left her. She was saying, 'Why won't they help me?'"
By the time the paramedics returned, Anderson had reportedly lost consciousness. Tensions flared between Anderson's family and the first responders, with family members questioning why they had left.
One firefighter allegedly tossed Anderson's ID on the ground after a relative handed it to them. The paramedics transported Anderson to Jackson North Medical Center, but she died less than two hours after arrival.
The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue department has launched an internal investigation into the incident, though they have not released further details.
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