Scott told Butler County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer McElfresh on Monday that jail staff say they do not know whether she will get to the hospital in time for delivery.
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McElfresh, following a short hearing, declined to reduce Scott’s bond noting the seriousness of the charges against her, which carry the potential of 25 years in prison if found guilty.
Last month, defense attorney Kathleen Batliner, filed the motion on Scott’s behalf noting she could live with her parents in Franklin if released.
“Defendant had severe pre-eclampsia with her previous two pregnancies, so she is at risk for this medical issue with her current pregnancy. Defendant requires several prenatal checkups to ensure the safety and health of her and her baby because of this condition,” Batliner said in the motion. “Because defendant is not receiving the necessary medical checkups, the health of her and her baby are at stake.”
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Butler County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer testified Monday the jail has six to eight pregnant inmates at any given time and they are experienced with providing care.
A paramedic is on duty at all times, and inmates also see nurses and a doctor. Dwyer said Scott was taken to Atrium Medical Center on Friday for a doctor visit, and her blood pressure and other vitals are being monitored daily.
“Especially with the heroin epidemic, we are pretty much used to handling pregnancies in the jail,” Dwyer said.
Scott, wearing an orange jump suit and handcuffed also took the stand.
“One time I was having pains and they called a medic … and it took them about 25 minutes to get there,” Scott said.
ANOTHER ROBBERY FOR PILLS: The same CVS was robbed last week
She also told the judge the half of the women in her jail pod had a MRSA staph infection.
Butler County Assistant Prosecutor John Heinkel asked her how she knew that 30 to 40 people in her pod had infections, Scott said it was her observations from the bandages they had on.
Dwyer told this news outlet today that like any other facility that houses 1,000 people, they do deal with the treatment of all types of illness, but to his knowledge there is not an outbreak of MRSA in the jail.
Scott also sent at letter to Judge Jennifer McElfresh asking for her release so that she could spend time with her sons, ages 5 and 1.
“I completely understand there are consequences for my actions, there is so much more to the (whole) thing (than) what what’s being said. I was in a bad controlling relationship with my kids’ father for almost seven years. I stayed for my babies, and now I realize it was the worst decision of my life,” Scott wrote in the letter.
Batliner argued there is concern for Scott’s life and that of her baby if she stays in jail.
“She has been told they may not have enough time to get her out,” Batliner said, added there is also a concern about the cleanliness of the jail after Scott has a C-section.
Heinkel pointed out the seriousness of the crimes Scott is charged with, noting a search of her residence after the robbery turned up 1,600 Perocet pills and a large amount of cash.
“Two thousand pills were taken … there is a concern that she has access to those missing pills,” Heinkel said.
In denying the motion, McElfresh said she did not find Scott’s testimony credible and said it was revealed Scott continued to use Percocet and Xanax prior to and during her pregnancy.
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