"I'm Not a Terrorist, I'm a Sick Mom!": Woman Mysteriously Killed While Held by Police in Airport

Posted by Pam Spaulding at 4:34 AM on October 2, 2007.

Pam Spaulding: The daughter-in-law of NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum is choked to death by her handcuffs.

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This post, written by Pam Spaulding, originally appeared on Pam's House Blend

The facts aren't all in yet, but at the very least, there's a lot of explaining to do regarding the death of Carol Anne Gotbaum, 45, the daughter-in-law of a NYC official. She died in a holding cell in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, after being detained for irate behavior. (NYDN):

"I'm not a terrorist! I'm a sick mom! I need help!" yelled the mother of three after she missed the 2:58 p.m. US Airways Express flight to Tucson, said airport workers who witnessed the confrontation Friday.

They said one cop put his knee in her back to restrain her while others grabbed her flailing arms.

...Gotbaum's husband, Noah, is the son of longtime city labor leader Victor Gotbaum and the stepson of his wife, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, a possible candidate for mayor in 2009.

The police are suggesting that Gotbaum accidentally choked herself to death, even though she was handcuffed behind her back.

Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said Gotbaum kept screaming after she was placed in the holding cell, until cops realized she had been silent for several minutes and found her unresponsive. The county medical examiner has not determined a cause of death.

"The longest she was alone was five or 10 minutes," Hill said. She was handcuffed behind her back, Hill said.

But he couldn't immediately explain why a distressed woman was left alone in handcuffs while seven police officers were in the security office.

UPDATE: Experts say it is impossible for someone to strangle themselves with handcuffs, read the report here.

Tagged as: police brutality, homeland security, gotbaum

Pam Spaulding blogs at Pam's House Blend.

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The Pigs in uniform have been doing this to minorities for a [Report this comment] Posted by: PakiBoy on Oct 2, 2007 5:54 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] long time. Now that a white female is the victim of such brutality, things might change but I doubt it. Welcome to facist Amerika! Things are going to get much worse (but good for the rest of the world) [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » makes you wonder how many times she was tasered Posted by: KaptainSpiffy » RE: The Pigs in uniform have been doing this to minorities for a Posted by: huggybean It's a Brave New World, Welcome to 1984! [Report this comment] Posted by: kewpie on Oct 2, 2007 7:11 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] What did this poor woman do to get on the "No Fly" list? It has been reported that she was going for treatment for alcohol abuse and didn't want to miss her plane. How embarrassing for the airport police and their mishandling of a woman who was trying to get better. We hear in the news of the irresponsible celebrities with their drug and driving problems (i.e. Britney and Paris), and it is a shame when a normal person tries to do the right thing and she dies trying. It is no mystery how she died to me...Because of the war on terror, there will be no no investigation into her death. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Amerika's Geshtapo!!! [Report this comment] Posted by: lively56 on Oct 2, 2007 7:32 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] We are hearing about these way to frequently these days, and we need to find out if this was covered by msm or not. I don't watch msm anymore, because I couldn't bear puking anymore. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] How does one accidentally choke themselves? [Report this comment] Posted by: chaoslegs on Oct 2, 2007 8:01 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] If the only thing you have is your hands, once you pass out won't the pressure on the windpipe end? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Can you say "Cover-up"? [Report this comment] Posted by: outlander55 on Oct 2, 2007 9:30 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Police seem to have more latitude when they fear terrorism, but an alcoholic, middle aged woman IS NOT A THREAT!!! Terrorism my ass. Terrorism has become the biggest fear of law enforcement agencies. And they use it to cover up their incompetence. This is becoming more common. Innocent people suffering the bullying tactics of officers who get pleasure out of inconveniencing others. It's happened at universities, during anti-war rallies and even in the halls of Congress. Don't listen to the police and get tazed, a broken leg, or DEAD. We have become what we most feared: A Police State. Why? Because most Americans are too opiated by their own selfishness to care. Good night and good luck... [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] My 2 cents [Report this comment] Posted by: Axiom69 on Oct 2, 2007 11:04 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It's my understanding that she missed the flight by a few moments. The gate was closed but the plane hadn't taken off yet. She became irate when they wouldn't let her on so the gate employee's called the police. That's all I know. Still trying to figure out how handcuffs end up around your neck when you're cuffed behind the back. I don't even think a yoga expert could pull that off. My crystal ball see's lawsuits and firings but no prosecutions. Typical. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: My 2 cents Posted by: SalB Boycot the Airlines... use other transportation methods... [Report this comment] Posted by: Bearzerker on Oct 4, 2007 1:10 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ...thats how you spell relief from this kind of draconian law enforcement... If enough people just refused to travel then perhaps the travel industry would change or force a change from government... I don't know about the rest of the world but when someone or some industry or agent thereof acted in this manner, I'd refuse to do business with them... There is after all, alternative methods of travel these days... trains and buses come to mind... also alternative private air travel is starting to make in roads, think private memberships like Costco but only in air travel [memberships do have there privileges] I don't know about you but there are certain things that I refuse to participate in because I refuse to financially support my oppression... Faux News Corp, and the entire Airline industry is just a few of my many companies countries and persons on my boycott list...governments, people and companies that support these bad behaviours I scrutinize fully and let them know they are being monitored... I POLITELY inform them of my displeasure in there actions and why in written format... besides doesn't take long to send handwritten letters via post and it seems to get instant replies! Don't just think it... DO IT... and let others know WHY you're doing it! T-Shirts and ball caps gets the word out cheaply and profitably these days it seems. Money talks silently... but even the slightest threat of reduced capital can get results. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] more proof [Report this comment] Posted by: dannrusso on Oct 4, 2007 3:14 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] this country sucks. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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» makes you wonder how many times she was tasered Posted by: KaptainSpiffy

» RE: The Pigs in uniform have been doing this to minorities for a Posted by: huggybean

» RE: My 2 cents Posted by: SalB

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» makes you wonder how many times she was tasered Posted by: KaptainSpiffy

» RE: The Pigs in uniform have been doing this to minorities for a Posted by: huggybean

» RE: My 2 cents Posted by: SalB