Crime & Safety
Meriden Woman Dies after an Arrest, and an Officer Is Suspended
Erica Moreno, 29, tried to commit suicide while in custody, and she later died from injuries related to the attempt, according to police.
MERIDEN, CT - Erica Moreno, 29, died of injuries she suffered from a suicide attempt while in Meriden police custody, and Off. Margaret Smusz has been suspended for failing to take certain steps to prevent it, according to the department.
The Meriden Record-Journal reports that Smusz failed to remove the drawstring from Moreno's pants following the arrest.
Smusz, who was called in to process the female suspect, received a 30-day suspension, but the city's police union president believes the suspension is excessive.
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Det. John Williams told the Record-Journal that Smusz was just called in to process Moreno at time of the arrest, not monitor her while she was in the holding cell. He added that another officer suspension might result from this case.
Click here to read the full story on the Meriden Record-Journal website.
Find out what's happening in Meridenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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