By Amaris Castillo
The Bradenton Herald
MANATEE, Fla. — A Bradenton man has been charged with practicing medicine without a license, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Cedrik Claude Merlet, 40, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday for an incident eight months ago in February where he tried to treat his girlfriend with an IV during an apparent asthma attack, according to the report.
Deputies responded to Merlet’s apartment at 12:15 a.m. Feb. 1 for a domestic incident. Deputies reported smelling alcohol on Merlet’s breath and noted his eyes were slightly bloodshot and glassy.
Merlet told deputies he had friends over for a party and they had been drinking since 7 p.m., according to the report.
Merlet told deputies his girlfriend became extremely intoxicated and began to vomit during the party.
Believing she was suffering from an acute asthma attack, Merlet tried to help relying on past experience as a commercial rescue diver paramedic in New Jersey and as a paramedic for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Merlet now works as a veterinary technician, according to the report.
While under the influence of alcohol himself, Merlet injected saline into his girlfriend to replenish her fluids after she vomited repeatedly, according to the report.
Merlet told deputies he administered 2 milligrams of dexamethasone sodium phosphate through the IV, which the victim said was left over from a prescription for her dog.
But the victim’s recall was hazy, according to the report. The victim told deputies she vaguely remembered receiving something, but couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly.
Deputies said Merlet did not call 911 for medical assistance nor tell a 911 dispatcher about the medical issue when he reported the domestic incident.
Merlet was released from Manatee County jail the same day as his arrest, according to the sheriff’s website.
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©2014 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.)