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[0:10] ..." behind bars. Tonight the I team investigates the case of a former Worcester police officer. He died waiting for kidney a kidney to his brother an inmate at the Worcester county jail was willing to donate. As chief correspondent Joe short sleeve explains the family of Larry room believes the Worcester County sheriff's office. Couldn't do enough to save Larry's life. Hello guys."...
[0:33] ..." A Larry room was a retired Worcester police officer -- dad loved camping with the sun. -- his family says died too young waiting for a kidney transplant."...
[0:59] ..." can't. But there was a problem can't was behind bars at the Worcester County house of corrections serving time for assaulting his girlfriend. And that's when Larry -- luck ran out."...
[1:44] ..." question about throughout. But this can't we that -- the doorstep of Worcester County sheriff's office."...
[3:27] ..." board's decision in May of 2007 Larry -- moved his case to UMass memorial Medical Center it was there. Just a few miles from the jail. He thought it would speed things along the and"...
[4:43] ..." move to help them with the tops facilities that they've moved to Worcester to make it easier on the jail. Why do they won't think they never do we never get any indication."...
[4:56] ..." months after the change of hospitals so what was going on at UMass memorial Medical Center. And they tell the idea that doctors were busy all summer reevaluated want to Larry sisters who had previously been excluded. Why tops UMass wanted to know if her health situation had changed. But after a single blood -- through the excluded again you massive even"...
[5:35] ..." on the corner from jail. And still. I'm UMass Condit contacted them over and over and over and what the last thing they taught me is -- hands tied. While waiting"...
[5:46] ..." UMass tonight that they -- the idea and they we're not waiting on the jail they disabled the hospital in the jail were working in good faith. To move the evaluation process along. And the hospitals hands were never -- they add we do not field -- incarceration. Impeded Larry's scare in December 7 months after Larry -- move this case to UMass. -- transplant related tasks was reform at the jail on camera crew. But it was too late. 36 days later Larry --"...
[7:00] ..." wrong they say they did everything the hospitals asked them to do. UMass memorial Medical Center refused to answer our specific questions about that four month gap during the summer of 2007. When they say"...
[0:00]" A family member comes to the rescue of a relative needing a lifesaving transplant. We've certainly heard these heartwarming stories many times before."
[0:08]" But what if -- organ donor is actually behind bars. Tonight the I team investigates the case of a former Worcester police officer. He died waiting for kidney a kidney to his brother an inmate at the Worcester county jail was willing to donate. As chief correspondent Joe short sleeve explains the family of Larry room believes the Worcester County sheriff's office. Couldn't do enough to save Larry's life. Hello guys."
[0:33]" A Larry room was a retired Worcester police officer -- dad loved camping with the sun. -- his family says died too young waiting for a kidney transplant."
[0:42]" And thinking what. I don't know why is stalling because I'm -- myself and I don't want people golf operations into the operation they don't. Wait months and months and months time."
[0:51]" Was critical for Larry -- his family thought they were lucky. The 59 year old former cop had an ideal donor is younger brother can't. But there was a problem can't was behind bars at the Worcester County house of corrections serving time for assaulting his girlfriend. And that's when Larry -- luck ran out."
[1:10]" The man is dead. Because I want to jail. But the people that run that facility. With the stroke of apparent. Could've avoided deaths."
[1:19]" Can't grew at his brother's widow Carolyn blame the man who runs the jail for Larry's death. They contend with your county sheriff guy gloat that's resisted helping them because he was an. Angry at Ken and his fiancee for filing complaints and making insulting comments sheriff quotas would not talk to us. What his second in charge deputy Jeff Turco says that is not."
[1:41]" True this is a tragic case or who does there's no question about throughout. But this can't we that -- the doorstep of Worcester County sheriff's office."
[1:48]" The cell with anyone to blame for Larry Ruth's death the I team built a time line. By January of 2007 Larry it was on a national donor waiting lists and February his wife Carolyn. Appealed to sheriff goes for help as Larry tell deteriorated. Writing that she hoped he could find it in the kindness of your heart. To expedite this process she added that can't sitting at a jail cell was the last possible hope for Larry."
[2:13]" So I was the last sibling available to do this."
[2:16]" In March doctor's notes from tufts Medical Center of state Larry needs a kidney transplant sooner than later. The document does indicate that all other family members have been excluded and that they are now working what Larry does -- F his brother is a likely match. The family was heartened by this line if a donor is available soon we may be able to plan a transplant. Twelve days later doctors that -- ordered a blood test at the jail and Ken -- was named a probable match."
[2:43]" And Larry was very happy about that these. He was looking forward to keep feeling better he just told me say you know what just want to feel."
[2:51]" Like myself again but -- room never made the trip from the jail to tufts Medical Center here in Boston. Spokesperson tells the I team that the relationship with a -- spoke complicated. Complicated by questions about insurance security and transportation. And fans can live in Boston for an extended series of tests the transplant team decided to wait until you. Because that's they're told them would get out of jail but camera didn't get out of this jail his parole is denied in mad."
[3:19]" And Larry just looked at me and said you know what I'm gonna die before I get the kidney. And he was very -- that."
[3:26]" Within hours of the parole board's decision in May of 2007 Larry -- moved his case to UMass memorial Medical Center it was there. Just a few miles from the jail. He thought it would speed things along the and since the -- Bentley says there appeals -- sheriff glowed as we're not working. They call their congressman Jim McGovern is office tells BI team. They called the sheriff -- is office at least three times asked jail officials to meet with the family. While -- fiance who had his power of attorney. Didn't meet with the lower level staffers she was not allowed to meet with Europe Lotus because ever insulting behavior in the previous month."
[4:04]" The decision was -- this administration. But we were going to work group are missed his argument coming in spew their paper venom and -- so."
[4:12]" Susan -- track down sheriff Lotus and handed him a packet of material at one of this fund raisers in July."
[4:19]" And I said this is -- to the kidney transplant. Retired was -- policeman Vietnam vet and his -- an inmate at the was kind of house of correction. Stood up said that his legal department was handling it and he had nothing proposition."
[4:33]" Interestingly. Jail officials insist they didn't even know the family moved to transplant. Two luster until September they say they did it because that."
[4:42]" You wouldn't move to help them with the tops facilities that they've moved to Worcester to make it easier on the jail. Why do they won't think they never do we never get any indication."
[4:52]" And the jail says. They never got a medical request from -- math until six months after the change of hospitals so what was going on at UMass memorial Medical Center. And they tell the idea that doctors were busy all summer reevaluated want to Larry sisters who had previously been excluded. Why tops UMass wanted to know if her health situation had changed. But after a single blood -- through the excluded again you massive even though tough determined that can -- the likely match in March. They didn't consider him a possible donor until. October in early fall Larry -- widow claims the transplant coordinator at U mass expressed her frustration. Without slowly that jail was responding to certain requests."
[5:35]" on the corner from jail. And still. I'm UMass Condit contacted them over and over and over and what the last thing they taught me is -- hands tied. While waiting for the --"
[5:46]" UMass tonight that they -- the idea and they we're not waiting on the jail they disabled the hospital in the jail were working in good faith. To move the evaluation process along. And the hospitals hands were never -- they add we do not field -- incarceration. Impeded Larry's scare in December 7 months after Larry -- move this case to UMass. -- transplant related tasks was reform at the jail on camera crew. But it was too late. 36 days later Larry -- died."
[6:17]" I think serve quotas. For whatever reason. Was upset with me or other members of my family and took out you know like I'll show you I think his arrogance is what killed my --"
[6:32]" And you let us down."
[6:34]" Do you feel that your clothes cost you your husband's life incentive."
[6:39]" Yes I don't did this office do everything possible to save. Wire was like we believe we do we did everything that was asked of us and everything that -- required course yields."
[6:50]" Now consider this for the 812 month period we examine Cameroon never traveled once to. Either hospital for a transplant related test -- jail officials insist they did nothing wrong they say they did everything the hospitals asked them to do. UMass memorial Medical Center refused to answer our specific questions about that four month gap during the summer of 2007. When they say they were -- a failing member. Who had been excluded by cops they also wouldn't explain why they didn't test to telling members that wants considering their own doctors wrote. They want this done as soon as possible. You Massey did say this correctional settings can be challenging. Unbelievable story quite and the family decide to go public. Well to begin with Cameroon told me while he has met with attorneys. He says -- no plans to file a lawsuit he says he just like to see state laws changed so that other families. Don't end up in the same situation. Its --"
[7:49]" Terribly -- Tests in England medical listeners telling you that under normal circumstances of value waiting potential living donors should only take a couple of months."
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