OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla.
Two Okaloosa paramedics are facing criminal charges after the allegedly engaged in a “selfie competition” involving patients.
“I think it was a sick juvenile game,” said Sheriff Larry Ashley with Okaloosa County.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office released new information Thursday concerning a months-long investigation into the Okaloosa County EMS division.
“The good news is that we self-policed,” said Ashley.
Accusations arose in May saying paramedics were taking unauthorized selfies with sedated patients in the back of ambulances then sending them amongst each other as part of a selfie war.
Now, two former employees face charges.
The two suspects, Kayla Renee Dubois, 24, of Navarre, and Christopher Wimmer, 33, of Crestview, allegedly took photos of themselves with 41 patients. Only three of those photos were consensual. Many of the rest were taken while patients were unconscious.
“We do intend to prosecute them vigorously and intend to seek jail time in these cases,” said Bill Bishop with the State Attorney’s Office.
“I can tell you that the victims that we identified and talked to were angry, were frustrated, were hurt,” said Ashley.
The Sheriff’s Office believes no images or videos were shared online or on social media, but they were sent to other EMS and non-EMS personnel. As a result, the county is making serious changes to its phone policy.
“We have banned the use of personal cell phones while in the back of an ambulance,” said John Hofstad, the County Administrator.
In addition, paramedics’ work-provided cell phones are now disabled from taking photos or video.
All the patients in the photos were contacted.