Two paramedics are accused of taking selfies with 41 patients in the back of ambulances, WKRG reports. She was arrested Thursday, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Wimmer, who Okaloosa authorities say turned himself in later that afternoon, faces the same charge – on seven counts – plus misdemeanor battery.
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As for the rest, two patients have since died. Officials say Wimmer held open the eyelid of a sedated patient in order to take a selfie and posed with an elderly woman with her breast exposed.
“This has more to do with an invasion of privacy and respect than anything”, said Ashley. Texts between the two paramedics egged each other on to “step up” their game, according to the sheriff’s office in Okaloosa County, Fla.
OCSO officials say an investigation was launched in May after the allegations were brought to their attention by three other EMS employees.
The competition involved victims 24 to 86 years old “in varying degrees of distress, ‘ including five homeless people and one sheriff’s deputy.”.
An internal investigation preceded the criminal investigation.
“Because of the insensitivity shown by these individuals, we intend to prosecute them vigorously and intend to seek jail time”, said Bill Bishop with the State Attorney’s Office.
John Hofstad, an Okaloosa County Administrator says they don’t believe this is an ongoing issue. “They were frustrated, they were hurt and their biggest fear were that these things made their way to social media”.
Dubois was sacked in May and Wimmer resigned.
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From September 2015 to April of this year, police said, the pair would snap photos while on the job.
