Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office steps in to help with St. Tammany Parish’s sexual assault exams

Bella Dardano
·2 min read
1

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — The St. Tammany and Jefferson parish coroners’ offices have entered an agreement to combine resources to offer Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners services for St. Tammany Parish residents.

According to a news release, the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office will offer SANE services to victims of sexual assault in St. Tammany Parish starting on May 20.

The decision comes following St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape’s initial decision to cut the SANE program when he took office in March.

Slidell motorcycle crash leaves man dead

Louisiana legislators with the St. Tammany Legislative Delegation wrote a letter stating they were continuing their call for his resignation after he “unilaterally decided to terminate the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, and its employees.”

On March 28, Tape announced that he would consider bringing the program back following a lawsuit filed by three other coroners in the same department of health and hospital region as St. Tammany Parish.

“I’m willing to re-launch the program for a trial period while allowing the other parishes and agencies involved to develop alternative plans,” said Tape in a March news release.

On April 3, a judge signed a temporary restraining order that would prevent Tape from cutting the SANE program.

New Orleans police make arrest in weekend French Quarter homicide

On April 16, a petition to recall Tape was officially filed, stating that he is “unfit to hold office.”

Monday’s release states that former St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office SANE nurses will join the Jefferson Parish on-call team to officer SANE services in both parishes.

It also notes that similar assistance has been offered to Region 9 parishes served by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s office, and an agreement has been signed by the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office to offer services in those areas.

“From the beginning, I have wanted the SANE program to continue, but my obligation to the taxpayers of St. Tammany Parish has also been paramount,” Tape said.  “I’m very pleased with the execution of the CEA – for St. Tammany and the other Region 9 Parishes – and am committed to doing our part while responsibly overseeing the funds with which taxpayers entrust my office.”

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.