wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Cops cleared after teen injures self in cruiser, left brain dead

Cops cleared after teen injures self in cruiser, left brain dead

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) -- An investigation into the injuries a teen received while in police custody is complete.

Charlotte Mecklenburg police released the findings Tuesday evening in the Tanisha Williams investigation.

The report revealed the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.

The investigation launched by CMPD's Internal Affairs division stems from an incident in early December when Williams, then 18, was arrested for shoplifting at a CitiTrends store on Freedom Drive in west Charlotte.

While handcuffed in the back of a police car, police say Williams she repeatedly beat her head against the window and wrapped a harness around her own neck.

The report says detectives interviewed witnesses, reviewed video and audiotape of the incident and gathered evidence with regard to the event.

Officers first observed Williams "hitting her head against the glass" and went to get a restraining device from another police in the immediate area, the report says.

By the time they retrieved the device, according to the report, Williams had stop banging her head and against the window and the device was no longer needed.

It also say investigators determined it took "less than 13 seconds to wrap shoulder harness around her neck" 

The report also revealed that once Williams stopped slamming her head against the window they opened the door "at various times and repeatedly asked Williams if she was ok."

Officers told investigator Williams did not answer, but say "she was still breathing."

The report also states officers didn't initially see the harness because of the "dark night conditions and her hair."

After shining a light on her face, the report say police saw the harness, "immediately cut it off and removed her from the car."

They began administering "appropriate medical attention" and called MEDIC to the scene.

WBTV spoke to William Harding, the attorney for Williams' family Tuesday night.

He said he had not reviewed the report and wanted to before making a statement.

Harding also said her family was "very upset" CMPD revealed the report on the eve of the teen's 19th birthday.

Williams remains in the hospital on life support and is brain dead, but according to Harding she is receiving around-the-clock care.

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