Report concludes ‘significant’ errors made in death of Liberty woman

LIBERTY — More than five months worth of investigations into how police responded to calls for help the night 87-year-old Mary Rush died have ended and the verdict is in.

“The evidence gathered by the committee revealed significant errors made by the dispatcher as well as errors in judgment made by the individual officers. More importantly, the exploration of this incident has revealed significant problems with supervision and training within the Liberty Township Police Department,” the report said.

Rush, 87, of Mansell Drive, was found on her front porch, unconscious with severe cuts, just after 7 a.m. April 28. The porch area was covered in blood, and a large rock was found by a nearby broken window.

Her leg was broken and caught in the railing leading to the porch. Township police have since determined that Rush locked herself out and was cut trying to gain entry to the house.

Police checked the area by car twice in the early hours when Rush likely would have been outside, after a neighbor complained of someone crying out outside — but they did not find her.

Township trustees commissioned an independent review of the police department’s response to and investigation of the 911 call before the discovery of Rush.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.