Resident Takes Legal Action Against Sedona Fire District Following Mother’s Tragic Death

The Sedona Fire District (SFD) is facing a lawsuit filed in Yavapai County Superior Court by local resident Corinne Braun. She alleges that SFD personnel violated her health care power of attorney, which she claims contributed to the death of her 101-year-old mother, Michele Braun, in 2023.

Fire Chief Ed Mezulis refrained from discussing the lawsuit in detail but confirmed on January 22 that no settlement has been reached. The complaint, submitted on August 16, 2024, names the SFD, Chief Mezulis, Assistant Chief Jayson Coil, and Verde Valley Medical Center as defendants. Braun accuses them of inflicting emotional distress, deprivation of rights, and various other violations including unlawful denial of public records.

Additionally, the lawsuit lists “RB” and “RL,” two employees from the Adult Protective Services (APS) under the Arizona Department of Economic Security, as unidentified co-defendants in the case.

According to Braun, she held a durable power of attorney for her mother, authorized on January 15, 2020, to make medical decisions on her behalf. This authority was affirmed by the Yavapai County Superior Court in June 2020. Braun’s complaint emphasizes that Michele, a devout Catholic, had a strong desire to live and had received professional medical advice cautioning against following fire personnel’s recommendations.

At the time of her mother’s medical incidents, Braun was embroiled in a family dispute over caregiving responsibilities with her brother, Eric Braun. Complications intensified in December 2022 when a medical provider allegedly turned off Michele’s oxygen, prompting Corinne to seek lift assists from SFD due to physical challenges involved in caregiving.

The lawsuit asserts that in June 2023, SFD attempted to stop assisting Michele by reporting unfounded allegations of neglect against Corinne. Braun claims that SFD’s personnel concocted a plan with APS, and despite an initial complaint being closed as “unsubstantiated,” SFD reportedly refiled similar accusations to keep the case open.

Compounding the situation, when Braun sought SFD’s help on August 19, 2023, the crew took her mother to Verde Valley Medical Center and allegedly accused Corinne of abuse. Sedona police were involved, stating they assisted in transport at a physician’s directive and reported concerns about Corinne’s conduct during the incident.

Braun alleges further complications arose when she attempted to file a complaint regarding the alleged “medical kidnapping” of her mother, claiming the Sedona police refused to accept her report and denied the existence of pertinent public records. Following her mother’s transport, Corinne faced barriers accessing her mother at the hospital, as personnel denied her visitation rights.

Michele’s health declined rapidly after her transfer to a new living facility, leading to her passing on September 15. The lawsuit claims that SFD and VVMC shared confidential information with her brother, enabling him to gain temporary guardianship while omitting crucial details about the enduring power of attorney.

Eric Braun later moved their mother to an assisted living center, where her health deteriorated significantly, raising concerns about the administration of medications that contributed to her death. The toxicology report noted dangerously high levels of morphine in her system at the time of her passing.

The legal disputes between Eric and Corinne escalated after Michele’s death, with Corinne facing arrests for alleged infractions involving her mother’s property. The lawsuit seeks $300,000 in damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and the right to pursue a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) action.

On December 4, 2024, Braun dropped her case against VVMC, while Judge John Napper granted a subsequent extension for the other defendants to respond to the complaint until January 15. SFD has continued to engage in settlement discussions.