Blog Report: Lesbian Who Claimed Hospital Denied Hospital Visitation Rights For Partner Arrested For Beating Her

The Indianapolis Star reported last week claims made by the lesbian partner of a woman hospitalized at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis that she was being denied visitation rights by the hospital after her partner was hospitalized for an alleged drug overdose. A gay rights advocacy group, GetEqual Indiana, immediately took up the cause of Sarah Bray, arguing that the hospital was violating Bray's rights afforded to her to visit her same-sex partner under federal law. According to the Bilerico blog, Bray fabricated the story about her partner, Jennifer Clemmer, suffering from a drug overdose. Instead, the blog reports that Bray has been arrested and jailed for felony battery and criminal confinement of Clemmer.

Citing a probable cause affidavit, Bilerico says the Marion Co. Prosecutor's Office has charged Bray with attacking Clemmer in front of her two children after a domestic dispute over household chores turned violent. Clemmer allegedly sought refuge in a bathroom where Bray found her on the floor hours later. Bray called 911 after finding her and pleaded ignorance of the cause of her condition when emergency responders arrived. Clemmer later explained that the last thing she remembered was dragging herself into the bathroom before awakening in the hospital days later. Clemmer told police after awakening that Bray had attacked her, a claim substantiated by Bray's children.

Bray allegedly fabricated the claims of being denied visitation rights and the overdose claim. Police and the hospital allowed Bray supervised visitation rights and played along with her story to avoid tipping her off of their ongoing investigation according to the report. The report claims Bray is facing two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge and is being held in the Marion County Jail on an $11,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. The report claims that Bray has a history of abusing physically abusing Clemmer during their relationship.

UPDATE: The Star is now confirming the Bilerico report and provides a few more details:

. . . The revelation came when detectives interviewed Clemmer late Saturday night in the critical care unit at St. Francis Hospital.

Clemmer said Bray hit her with a fist, punched her several times in the head and upper torso, pulled her by the hair and slammed her face into the wood floor, according to court documents.

The alleged assault happened at about 10:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Southside home the pair shared.

During the assault, Bray said, “So you always want to be the victim, do ya?” Clemmer told investigators, according to documents.

Clemmer said she lost consciousness after she ran to the bathroom to escape from Bray.

Bray’s two sons witnessed the assault, documents said, and were told not to say anything.

Documents said Clemmer had scratches and bruises all over her body . . .

For once, I totally agree with Star columnist Erika Smith.