TEXARKANA -- A licensed vocational nurse accused of negligent homicide in the death of a diabetic inmate at the Bi-State jail entered an innocent plea Sept. 12 at a hearing in a Miller County courtroom.
Brittany Johnson, 26, appeared for arraignment before Circuit Judge Brent Haltom. Attorney Jeff Harrelson entered an innocent plea on Johnson's behalf to a single charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide.
Johnson was arrested Aug. 5 after an investigation into the July 1 death of Morgan Angerbauer, 20, of Texarkana.
Misdemeanor negligent homicide is punishable by up to a year in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Johnson refused to check Angerbauer's blood sugar about 5 p.m. June 30. Despite Angerbauer's repeatedly high blood sugar readings since her incarceration June 28, Johnson reportedly told Angerbauer that she'd have to wait until the medical staff members conducted their next rounds because Angerbauer had missed her medical call about a half-hour before, the affidavit said.
Angerbauer reportedly banged on the door of her medical observation cell, about 20 feet from the nurse's station, for hours, the affidavit said. About 4 a.m. July 1, Angerbauer was found incoherent on the floor of her cell, the affidavit said.
State Desk on 09/22/2016