Family of mentally ill woman sues police, city of Cleveland for 'wrongful death', 'excessive force'
Tanisha Anderson, 37, died after police put the bipolar schizophrenic woman in a restraint while trying to take her to the hospital, according to a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, January 8, 2015, 1:32 AM
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JUSTICE FOR TANISHA ANDERSON/FACEBOOKTanisha Anderson, 37, was in the 'midst of a mental health crisis' while in custody of the Cleveland police.
The family of a mentally ill Ohio woman is suing the city of Cleveland after the mother of one died in police custody in November.
Cleveland police used excessive force on Tanisha Anderson, 37, after her family requested help for the bipolar schizophrenic woman twice, according to the federal civil rights lawsuit filed Wednesday.
"Tanisha was in the midst of a mental health crisis," the complaint states. "She was not armed, violent, intoxicated, or suspected of having committed any crime."
The family agreed to let police take her to the hospital Nov. 13, according toCleveland.com.
Officers Scott Aldridge and Bryan Meyers "screamed" at Anderson and "slammed" her to the ground after she panicked and got out of their squad car, the lawsuit alleges.
As the "terrified" Anderson was facedown on the pavement, Aldridge put pressure on her back and handcuffed her with Meyers' help, causing her to lose consciousness and stop breathing, according to the suit obtained byNewsNets5.
The officers did not provide medical care or call for medical assistance in time, the suit says.
They insisted she was sleeping and left her exposed with her nightgown pulled up and nothing underneath, the family alleges.
JUSTICE FOR TANISHA ANDERSON/FACEBOOK
JUSTICE FOR TANISHA ANDERSON/FACEBOOK
Tanisha Anderson, whose child is now a teen, was left out on the sidewalk unconscious while her nightgown was pulled up and left her exposed, the lawsuit claims.
Her death has been ruled a homicide.
The "physical restraint in a prone position" combined with Anderson’s heart disease and bipolar disorder killed her, the Cuyahoga County Coroner said last week.
The lawsuit calls out the department a month after the U.S. Department of Justice reported Cleveland police have a "pattern of excessive force including those with mental health illness."
The family of Tamir Rice, 12, sued police last month after cops shot and killed him. They thought his pellet gun was a real firearm.
The city said it does not comment on pending litigation.
Anderson's case echoes the death of Eric Garner, a New York man who was killed in a police chokehold in July. His death sparked outrage over police use of force and race relations.
