DC Police Begin EMS Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A senior paramedic with D.C. Fire and EMS is now under criminal investigation for allegedly refusing to transport a little girl to the hospital.

Two-year-old Stephanie Stephens died last month, hours after her parents called 911 for help. The case has been under internal review, however on Thursday it was handed over to the Metropolitan Police Department.

FOX 5 News has learned new information about how long the ambulance crew was inside the home. Sources say the paramedic under investigation was previously demoted from her job as a paramedic supervisor because of past problems.

The paramedic under investigation is from Medic 33 out of a Southeast firehouse. Documents obtained exclusively by FOX 5 track Medic 33 as it heads to Southern Avenue during the February blizzard. The computer tracking of the ambulance shows it was dispatched at 4:48 am. It arrived 10 minutes later at 4:58 a.m.

The question is what happened inside the home after that.

"There is a need for this to go for a criminal review," said Chief Cathy Lanier of D.C. Police.

Although officials would not elaborate, they did say there appears to be serious criminal concerns involving this case.

"We believe the information before us is of a serious nature and raises such serious questions that the police department is going begin their investigation of the first responder," said DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

CAD Unit History documents show paramedics were not inside the home long.

Medic 33 arrived at 4:58 a.m. and records show it was back in service and left the house 10 minutes later 5:08 a.m.

EMT experts say even the best paramedics would have a hard time getting the equipment from the ambulance, up the apartment stairs and inside the home, then get a medical history, vitals and treatment and back to the truck in that short period.

It will be a key time period in the criminal investigation.

At the very least, the fire chief acknowledged there was a serious lapse.

"In a very general sense, I want everyone to know there is a clear cut protocol that describes how the treatment should have gone and to not transport we should have followed that protocol," said D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin.

Sources tell FOX 5 the junior EMT medic wanted to transport little Stephanie, but was overruled by the senior paramedic now under investigation.

Sources also say investigators are looking closely at an effort to cover up the decision not to transport.

The case is now in the hands of homicide detectives.

"MPD will be conducting a criminal investigation to determine if in this action there is evidence of criminal neglect," said D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles.

Documents show Medic 27 eventually transported Stephanie Stephens. It spent double the time at the home as the first ambulance-- 21 minutes.

Sources also tell FOX 5 that the patient care paperwork and signed refusal releases were not completed. Records show Medic 33 was idle for 2.5 hours before their next call.