Unfinished paperwork to cost Scott County $1,750 for infant autopsy

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Forms that fell through the cracks in Scott County's investigation of an infant death will end up costing the county money.

During Thursday's regular meeting, commissioners discussed an outstanding autopsy bill with Coroner Scott Amick. The $1,750 payment due to Mineral Area Regional Medical Center was incurred by an infant death in December 2007.

"The deputy left, and it didn't get followed through on," Amick said. With infant deaths, he said, several forms have to be filled out to show how the babies died. When those are turned in, the state pays the autopsy bill so individual counties are not liable.

"But it's of no value to them if they don't get it in a year," said Amick, adding that the information is used to compile a statistical book. "There is nothing we can do about this now except pay it."

The forms and paperwork are completed by a Child Fatality Review Panel, made up of several individuals in the county including representatives of the prosecuting attorney's office, sheriff's department, Sikeston Department of Public Safety and others.

Amick said this is the first such case to have "fallen through the cracks" in the past eight or nine years. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger, who has been on the commission since 2000, said he has never had a situation like this.

Although Amick said the case likely got overlooked because the sheriff's deputy who was in charge of it changed jobs, he again told commissioners having a secretary would help him keep up with the paperwork. "It would be nice if I could expect someone to do that work for me," he said.

The payment will come out of the coroner's autopsy budget, which is $10,000 this year.

Burger, however, called the medical center to see if the cost could be discounted in any way. According to Amick, the state likely has a contract fee and pays a smaller amount than what was billed to the county.

In other news Thursday, commissioners approved the purchase of a sweeper to prepare for the road paving season.

Luby Equipment Services, located near the Cape Girardeau Airport in Scott County, was the sole company to submit bids. Prices were submitted for four sweepers, and commissioners OK'd the purchase of the least expensive. The eight-foot weight, three-point hitch mount broom has hydraulic angle, dual motor and is hydraulic driven and cost $6,985.

"It goes behind the tractors and sweeps the loose rocks to the shoulder," explained Commissioner Donnie Kiefer. "It makes for a smoother pavement, and also adheres better."