Carol Ann Gotbaum: Pol's Daughter Dies After Airport Arrest

Story updated here.

Carol Ann Gotbaum, the mother of four who died in a cell at the Phoenix Airport, is the daughter-in-law of NY's Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum. The family is said to be monitoring the investigation.

PHOENIX (AP) - A woman late to her plane became irate, was put in handcuffs and was later found dead in a holding cell, police said. Authorities were investigating Saturday if the woman choked herself while trying to get free from the handcuffs.

Carol Ann Gotbaum, 45, of New York, was arrested Friday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after a conflict with gate crews who refused to allow her to board a plane, said Sgt. Andy Hill, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Comments

[Tom H. Weaver]

In fact, I'd feel that the Gotbaum family owed me an apology, sending this wildwoman cross-country alone to try and kick me in the shins. Ka-BONG!!!

[Jenn]

Police brutality at airports is out of control. Especially when the police beat up and or kill young women and mothers. This is similar to the police beating of the young woman at Reagan National Airport in DC except she suffered a concussion and is still alive. My thoughts and prayers go out to Carol Ann Gotbaum's family.

[Tom H. Weaver]

The NY papers today covered Gotbaum's funeral service yesterday, and quoted some friend of hers as saying accusingly, "If there'd been just ONE person there to tell her to stay calm, this wouldn't have happened!!"

Ummmm ... I guess none of her family members or friends wanted to be that "one person" and go with her.

"My friend is depressed and suicidal and wild, and she's flying to Arizona for rehab. ...She's going alone, I guess we'll see if she makes it there okay!"

The airport security people deserve an apology from the family and friends.

[John Kuehne]

The comments in here that place the blame on Ms. Gotbaum, calling her names, with comments like "good riddance", are truly shocking. Ms. Gotbaum was mentally ill, an alcoholic, and she was trying to do something about it by going to a rehab center.

Diabetics have died at the hands of police, Amtrak staff, and other bullies. The symptoms of low blood sugar are similar to alcohol poisoning. Recently Amtrak officials left a man with low blood-sugar on the side of the tracks, presumably to die. I don't think he was ever found.

People with medical and mental problems have died at the hands of the police and petty officials, and it's past time to stop what is essentially manslaughter. I saw the video: Ms. Gotbaum was overwhelmed by the police and treated like an animal. They did nothing to find out if she was diabetic, alcoholic, having a seizure, or anything reasonable. A lawsuit with the threat of hefty fines is one way to send a message, so people will hear about this mockery of America.

[Tom H. Weaver]

Waaah waaaah waaaah. Somebody called a waaahmulance for this guy. Somebody dial nine-waaah-waaah!

[William]

You can't strangle yourself to death while restrained in handcuffs. It's impossible. Their story does not add up. She was a good person. She was a mother with 3 kids. She has people who loved her. She did not deserve to die at the hands of airport police.