Friday, October 5, 2007

NY1: Surveillance Video Sheds Light On Death Of Gotbaum's Daughter-In-Law...

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Officials released a video Thursday that could shed some light on the public advocate’s daughter-in-law, who died while handcuffed in a holding room at a Phoenix airport last week.

Carol Anne Gotbaum, 45, was headed to an alcohol treatment center last Friday when she was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Prior to her arrest, surveillance video shows Gotbaum was yelling and screaming in the middle of the airport. TSA workers and several officers approached her in an effort to calm her down.

"She pulls away from the officers initially,” said a member of the Phoenix Police Department, describing the arrest. “And two officers grab her arms, and she just goes to the ground. As you can see, they went down to the ground with her to ensure that she wasn't injured on the way down. She's placed on her stomach and they're having a hard time pulling her right arm from underneath her stomach which was pinned against the ground. They roll her over to the right a little bit, which pops her arm a little bit, and both handcuffs are placed on her."

As she was brought to her feet, officers escorted her out to the holding area where she was left alone. Phoenix police say the mother of three was in the room for up to eight minutes, and when officials went to check on her she was already dead.

According to the medical examiner's office, autopsy results on Gotbaum may not be announced for up to 90 days.

The Gotbaum family has hired a private investigator, and suggested the circumstances surrounding the incident raise questions and warrant a thorough investigation.

Gotbaum’s husband Noah, the stepson of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, is bringing his wife's body back to New York.

A Gotbaum representative says a memorial service will be held Sunday in New York, where the family will sit Shiva in the days following.

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