Investigation Into Death Of Woman Removed From Hospital

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - The state Agency for Health Care Administration has launched an investigation into a small Northwest Florida hospital after the high-profile death of a woman who had been forcibly removed from the facility.

The AHCA issued a brief statement that said it will investigate whether Calhoun Liberty Hospital "violated any state or federal requirements surrounding last week's incident."

The December 21st death of Barbara Dawson, 57, drew national attention and spurred allegations about whether she was handled properly.

She had gone to the Blountstown hospital for treatment but refused to leave after being discharged, according to police. She collapsed as a police officer took her to a patrol car and was later pronounced dead.

A medical examiner said the cause of death was a blood clot in her lungs, according to police and the hospital.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.