A hospital in Flint is being sued by one of its nurses over allegations of discrimination. That nurse, who is African American, says officials at Hurley Medical Center fulfilled a father's request that only white nurses take care of his white child.
The lawsuit claims 49-year-old Tonya Battle, who has been with the hospital since 1988, found a note prominently posted on the patient's file that read: "No African American nurse to take care of baby."
According to court documents uncovered by WNEM reporter Liz Gelardi, Battle was caring for a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in October when the baby's father asked to speak with a supervisor. The lawsuit states he told the nurse in charge that he didn't want any African Americans taking care of his baby, then he pulled up a sleeve showing a tattoo believed to be a Swastika.
The lawsuit states the baby was re-assigned to another nurse.
Gelardi says hospital attorneys were made aware of the request and attempted to put it to an end. Battle's attorney, however, says the practice continued and no African American nurses cared for the baby during the child's month-long stay.
In a statement Monday, Hurley Medical Center said it "does not comment on past or current litigation."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:54:14 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:44:18 GMT
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:19:38 GMT
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
