Hurricane Irma: Deaths of 12 people in sweltering nursing home ruled as homicide, police say
'Who gets charged is part of the continuing investigation'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The deaths of 12 people in a sweltering Florida nursing home after Hurricane Irma wiped out power to the building have been ruled as homicides, police say.
The Rehabilitation Center in Miami was evacuated on 13 September when three residents died after the home’s air conditioning stopped working.
Five more died later that day before another six passed away during the weeks after the evacuation, reports the Sun Sentinel.
Two of those are no longer part of the criminal investigation after their deaths were found to be unrelated to the heat.
“Who gets charged is part of the continuing investigation,” said Miranda Grossman, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Police Department. “We don’t have a timeline of when there would be charges at this point.”
A medical examiner confirmed that a dozen people aged between 57 and 99 had died of heat exposure.
Erika Navarro, granddaughter of victims Cecila Franco, 90, and Miguel Antonio Franco, 92, told the newspaper someone needed to be held accountable.
“Are they going to go to jail? Are they just going to get a free pass and just pay money, and nothing else happens?” she said. “To me, that’s more important, that people are held accountable and they actually go to jail.”
Geoffrey D Smith, a lawyer for the nursing home, said in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that staff had been closely monitoring patients for two days when the deaths started without warning.
He claimed the temperature inside the home never exceeded 27c, which would be within standards.
The Rehabilitation Center is currently shut down as state regulators attempt to have its license revoked. The home is fighting the move.
Homicide in US law encompasses everything from first degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments