FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony warned on Friday that if an ongoing internal affairs investigation finds that deputies ignored a pregnant inmate’s pleas for help — forcing her to give birth in a jail cell — more deputies will face disciplinary action.
The North Broward Jail inmate identified as Stephanie Bretas, 28, gave birth to a boy on the floor of her cell on Sept. 27.
Chief Assistant Public Defender Gordon Weekes reported deputies ignored her cries for help while she was in labor.
“It comes down to common sense.”THE TAMMY JACKSON ACT LAWIt wasn’t the first time deputies have been accused of ignoring a pregnant woman’s desperate pleas for help at the North Broward Jail.
A new law named after Jackson makes it illegal for pregnant inmates to not get daily medical checkups while in custody.