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Bedwell missing, found, then arrested

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

jpoltilove@tampatrib.com

Published: July 2, 2009

TAMPA - A teenage mom whose baby, according to authorities, was thrown from a car onto Interstate 275 by a former boyfriend was reported missing Wednesday and then refused to cooperate with the detective who found her, the sheriff's office said.

Jasmine Bedwell, 17, was reported missing by her foster parent about 10 a.m.; she had last been seen about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

About 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, a Hillsborough County sheriff's detective found Bedwell at the Kimmins Early Head Start Center, 1502 E. Second Ave. The detective tried to talk to her, but she became belligerent and yelled and screamed obscenities, the sheriff's office said.

When the detective told Bedwell he needed to detain her until he contacted her caseworker, she still did not calm down and tried to pull away, authorities said. The detective took her to the ground, handcuffed her and placed her in his vehicle.

Bedwell was charged with resisting without violence. She was released to her foster parent.

Bedwell's ex-boyfriend is accused of killing her 3-month-old son, Emanuel Wesley Murray. Prosecutors say Richard McTear Jr. forced his way into Bedwell's apartment May 5, beat her and threw Emanuel on a floor before driving off with the boy. He threw the child out of the moving vehicle onto the shoulder of I-275, deputies say.

McTear is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, kidnapping, felony battery and burglary with battery. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if McTear is convicted.

Bedwell's attorneys have sent notice of intent to sue letters to the state's Department of Children & Families, Hillsborough Kids Inc. and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Bedwell says those agencies could have prevented her son's death.

A notice of intent also has been sent to the apartment complex where Bedwell lived, contending security was negligent, said St. Petersburg attorney Tom Wadley, who represents the teen.

A woman identifying herself as the manager of Marbella Apartments said she could not comment on the notice.

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