Man dies after Bradenton officers detain him under Florida Baker Act, police say
A state investigation is underway after a 51-year-old man died shortly after Bradenton police took him into protective custody under Florida’s Baker Act, according to the department.
Police said officers responded to the Wawa at 701 First St. E. after they received a 911 call from Todd Donahue, who reported that “the cartel” was chasing him. A second caller told dispatchers that Donahue was at the store acting erratically, the agency said.
When officers arrived, they said they determined Donahue’s behavior met the criteria for the state’s Baker Act, which allows officers to detain someone for an involuntary mental health evaluation if the person appears to be a danger to themselves or others.
Police cited Donahue’s statements to 911 and the witness report of erratic behavior as factors in their decision.
Man dies after Bradenton police detainment
Police said Donahue resisted when officers attempted to detain him. The department declined to release further details when asked about the use of force but said officers did not use a stun gun, despite some social media speculation.
After officers took Donahue into custody, they said EMS transported him to Manatee Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of a “laceration.” Donahue became unresponsive while in the ambulance and died at the hospital later that morning, according to the department.
When asked about the wound mentioned in the release, Bradenton police spokesperson Meredith Censullo said an autopsy “should provide more insight into the wound, potential causes of the wound and the role, if any, it played in Mr. Donahue’s death.”
She said the autopsy is scheduled to take place before Thanksgiving .
Florida law enforcement agency investigating death
Because Donahue died after officers detained him, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is leading the in-custody death investigation, which Censullo said is already underway. She said the agency will review evidence, including 911 calls, body camera footage, CCTV footage, autopsy results and toxicology findings.
Censullo said she’s not sure how long the investigation will take.
Police said they cannot release 911 recordings or body camera footage until FDLE turns the case over to the department. After FDLE completes its investigation, Censullo says Bradenton police will conduct an internal use-of-force review to determine whether officers followed department policies and procedures.
