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A veteran Akron police officer may be disciplined after he forgot an inmate inside a van for nearly two hours.

(cleveland.com file photo)

Stacy Carritz

AKRON, Ohio -- A veteran Akron police officer might face discipline after he forgot an inmate inside a transport van for nearly two hours.

The incident happened last Thursday when the officer was transporting five inmates back to Oriana House addiction treatment center and the Summit County Jail following court hearings, Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

The 24-year veteran officer dropped off two inmates at Oriana House and two inmates at Summit County Jail, and returned to the Akron police station. Edwards refused to identify the officer in question.

The jail called after corrections officers noticed the Akron officer left paperwork for three inmates, but only dropped off two.

Akron police officers found the inmate, 21-year-old Stacy L. Carritz, of Akron asleep on a bench in the back of the van. The van was parked in an area underneath the Akron Police Department. She was in the van from 1 p.m. until the jail called at 2:53 p.m., Edwards said.

All officers will inspect their vehicles after they have transported a prisoner, the departments transportation policy states. Read the entire policy below.

The officer, who works court security, has no prior infractions on his record, Edwards said.

Akron police supervisors are investigating whether the officer violated any policies or procedures. Possible disciplinary actions include verbal and written warnings, loss of vacation or sick time, and suspension.

Edwards did not know how long the internal investigation will last.

A 1-foot by 1-foot window separates the driver's cab from the back of the transport van. There are three separate holding compartments in the back, Edwards said. Carritz was in a compartment by herself.

Carritz is awaiting trial on drug charges, court records show. She has not filed a complaint about the incident, Edwards said Thursday.

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