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CNN Live Event/Special

Kidnapped, Rescued Teens Are Undergoing Medical Evaluation

Aired August 01, 2002 - 19:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. That's where there's a news conference beginning right now; a news conference on those two young teenage girls.

Thankfully they're OK. Both girls were saved or rescued by state and local law enforcement authorities in Kern County, California, just after a police chase, and the suspect was killed in the process.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

PETER BRYAN, CEO OF KERN MEDICAL CENTER: ... CEO of Kern Medical Center.

I'd like to make just a very brief statement.

Both girls have arrived. They are being medically evaluated at the current time. The family members are gathering, but there is no one spokesperson available as yet. I cannot give you the status of the girls' medical condition until the initial evaluation is completed.

As far as law enforcement is concerned, they are currently investigating the matter in a remote location where communication is difficult. They do not have a report as yet. When they conclude their investigation in the remote area they will issue a detailed news release. There is no time anticipated as to when that will occur.

Other than that, I do not have any additional information for you because it's too preliminary in our evaluation.

QUESTION: Have any of the girls been admitted?

BRYAN: At this time the medical evaluation is underway. No one has been admitted as of yet.

QUESTION: Is this standard procedure in a case like this to bring girls to the hospital for evaluation?

BRYAN: Yes it is. And by law we're required to do a medical screening, evaluation when anybody comes into the emergency room.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) condition as they came off the ambulance? We didn't get to see them, but it looked like they were sitting up in the stretcher and conscious and alert.

BRYAN: It would be premature for me to speculate as to what their condition is. They are currently being evaluated by a physician on staff.

QUESTION: Are their mothers and fathers here?

BRYAN: The entire family has not gathered yet, no.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: Excuse me?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: I do not have a list of the family members who are here. There are currently about 15 people, and they were still coming in the room when I came out here.

QUESTION: Are they going to the ER right now?

BRYAN: Yes. Both patients are in the emergency room at the current time.

QUESTION: Can you describe for us, sir, what it was like in there when they -- have they seen their daughter yet?

BRYAN: No, they have not seen their daughter because the physician is currently evaluating them.

QUESTION: And how soon will they (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: I suspect the evaluation should be completed in about 15 or 20 minutes.

QUESTION: Have you seen the girls? Are they talking at all?

BRYAN: I cannot comment on that.

QUESTION: What time were the girls admitted to the hospital?

BRYAN: The girls were not admitted to the hospital. They arrived at the hospital about 30 minutes ago, and are currently undergoing a medical screening evaluation.

QUESTION: Everyone is really interested to know how they're doing. There's nothing you can say about (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: I can't say anything yet because the physician has not completed his evaluation.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) are they...

BRYAN: Yes, they are talking. They're coherent. They're awake, alert, and they are interacting with the medical staff.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) shock? Are they joyous? Are they quiet?

BRYAN: I can't tell you if they are in shock. They are conversing with the medical staff in a coherent manner.

QUESTION: Have you seen any smiles from them? Are they emotionally (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: It would be inappropriate for me to respond to that because I can't evaluate that.

QUESTION: What kind of exams are they going through? What are they being tested for, screened for?

BRYAN: There is a typical medical screening protocol that is followed for all patients that come in and who are under evaluation. Other than that, I would be speculating.

QUESTION: Are they being treated to see if they were sexually assaulted?

BRYAN: I will -- when the examination is complete and they've talked with the family, then I will ask the physicians to come out and talk with you.

QUESTION: Where do they go from here? Will they be going home tonight or will they be held at the hospital?

BRYAN: If their medical condition dictates they can be released, they will be released. I'm sure that law enforcement agencies will also be interacting with them.

QUESTION: Do you expect them to be released?

BRYAN: I don't want to speculate on that. I don't know.

QUESTION: Any guesstimate on how long (OFF-MIKE)

BRYAN: I would estimate the screening would take another 20 minutes or so to complete.

QUESTION: And then there will be...

QUESTION: Will you come back out and let us know...

BRYAN: Yes, I will do that...

BLITZER: And so, that's Peter Bryan, the CEO of the Kern Medical Center, Kern County, California, near Bakersfield, reporting on the condition of those two young teenage girls. They are safe, they're fine, but they're going through what he described as a standard operating procedure, a medical screening evaluation by some doctors, says the doctors should have some more information about the condition of the two girls, Tamara Brooks and Jacqueline Marris. They're fine. The suspect in this case was shot and killed by police just a few hours ago.

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