Paramedics Snapped Selfies with Unconscious Patients inside Ambulances

A pair of Emergency Medical Services personnel in Florida allegedly used their cell phones to take selfies and videos with patients inside ambulances, over an eight-month period.

Former Okaloosa County, Fla. paramedic Kayla Renee Dubois, 24, was arrested on July 21, while the other suspect, Christopher Wimmer, 33, turned himself in to police that afternoon.

In one instance, Wimmer allegedly held open the eyelid of a sedated patient for a selfie. Investigators say he also posed with an elderly woman with her breast exposed.

Two of the patients pictured have died and three photos appear consensual. Of the remaining patients, 19 are female, 17 are male. Five of the individuals are homeless.

A two-month long investigation was launched May 13, 2016, after a public safety official in Okaloosa County learned of the allegations from three other Emergency Medical Services employees a week earlier. A criminal investigation revealed "the defendants exchanged texts challenging each other to produce more selfies and to 'step up' their game."

"The patients were intubated sedated and other wise unconscious," Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley said. "It was a sick juvenile game, I don't know any other way to describe it...It was a game of who can be the most vile, who can I get a picture with, it's humiliating."

"This has more to do with an invasion of privacy and respect than anything," he added.

According to CW39, selfies were shared with three other paramedics involved and possibly millions more on social media.

One of the victims was an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy. 

Officials said most of the victims have been notified and it was a complete violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

County officials say, now, all personal cellphones have been banned from ambulances. Each EMT is provided a work cellphone. On those devices, the option to record video and take pictures is disabled.