Doctor Disputes Youth’s Charges

Allegations that a badly injured teen-ager spent nearly two days at Central Juvenile Hall without adequate medical care after he was beaten by police were disputed Wednesday by a physician at the county-run facility.

Meanwhile, a member of the county Board of Supervisors has asked for reports on the case amid calls for a full-scale investigation.

Dr. Charles Baker, director of medical services at Central Juvenile Hall, said he has reviewed records of the medical condition and treatment of Richard Gomez, 15, after police brought the youth to the facility on June 29, and concluded that the medical staff acted appropriately.

He dismissed as “unfounded” charges made by Gomez’s lawyers Tuesday that the staff had ignored the youth’s pleas to see a doctor.

Gomez, Baker said, did not complain of being in pain, or of a police beating, until he had been in custody more than 24 hours. At that time, the physician said, the staff had him examined by a doctor, who noticed a bruised abdomen and placed the youth under observation in the infirmary.

When Gomez’s condition suddenly worsened that night, Baker said, the staff reacted quickly by transferring him to County-USC Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. Gomez had suffered internal bleeding and a damaged liver and was hospitalized for nine days.

“I would not have done anything differently,” said Baker, referring to Gomez’s treatment before he was hospitalized. “I would have done everything exactly the same.”

Baker confirmed that a nurse at the juvenile hall reported to police Gomez’s statements that he had been beaten by officers, launching a police internal affairs investigation of the officers’ actions. He said the nurse’s report was not made until July 2, the day after the youth underwent surgery.

Lawyers for Gomez have demanded that the supervisors review the medical services at the Central Juvenile Hall to ensure that they are adequate.

At least one supervisor--Michael Antonovich--on Wednesday requested reports from the county Probation Department and the Department of Health Services. Baker said he is helping to put those reports together.

At a news conference Tuesday, Jorge Gonzalez, one of Gomez’s lawyers, called the medical treatment the youth received at the juvenile hall “negligent and callous,” contending that his client had complained that he was seriously hurt--first to police officers at the LAPD’s Hollenbeck station, then later to employees at the juvenile hall.

On Wednesday, Gonzalez said he could not account for Baker’s assertions that Gomez made no complaints his first day in custody at juvenile hall.

“All I can tell you is what Richard told us. And he said he asked for a doctor and X-rays,” the lawyer said. “In my opinion, they ignored the fact that he had complained of being kicked in the stomach by an officer and decided it was no big deal.”

Gomez contends that his injury occured after officers arrested him on the street near his home in El Sereno on suspicion of having a .25-caliber handgun.

The Eagle Rock High School student said that an officer, without provocation, came up from behind and kicked him in the side, then continued to push him around and kick him.

Later when he was handcuffed and inside a police car, another officer punched him in the stomach, the youth said.