The Office of the Director of Public Prosecuters (ODPP) released a detailed statement today, that expressed the ruling as it relates to the case of Jodian Fearon. The Office in the statement stated that ‘there was no evidentiary material on file to establish’ that there was negligence or incompetence of any doctor or any other person.
The ODPP says it has ruled that no criminal charges are to be laid against Dr. Lloyd Goldson or any of the medical personnel named in the statements at the Andrews Memorial Hospital, Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital or the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
The Office also noted that there would be no use in remitting the matter to the learned Coroner, as a Coroner’s jury that is properly directed in law would reach the same conclusion as the ODPP.
Additionally, the ODPP says the issues surrounding breaches to deal with the care of Fearon and the Doctors and/or Medical Institutions is best answered by a Court of Law and would therefore fall out of the scope of the ODPP.
Fearon became a patient of Dr. Goldson’s on February 2, 2020. At the time, she was twenty-five weeks’ pregnant and due for delivery on or about May 19, 2020. Approximately seven days before her death, she reported feeling uncomfortable and felt her chest tightening when lying down. She reportedly also had shortness of breath.
She was then recommended to the Andrews Memorial Hospital, for what Dr. Goldson thought was the best decision for her in order for her to deliver her baby.
On the same afternoon, Fearon was checked into the Andrews Memorial Hospital. From there, Fearon was again recommended to another hospital. This time to the UHWI but UHWI responded that they could not accept her. Then after, Fearon was transferred to the Spanish Town Hospital and then to the prior recommended- UHWI.
Jodian Fearon was pronounced dead at 10:24 p.m on Friday, April 24th, 2020.
Read the full statement from the ODPP here:
