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March 28, 2024

NECAS sees accusations of physical abuse, property damage, guns against EMT David Craig –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On September 5, 2020

Chrisman, IL. (ECWd) –

In looking at the Northern Edgar County Ambulance Service (“NECAS”) over the past week, we gathered information relating to accusations of physical abuse on more than one occasion, property damage to private and public property and allegations of firearms on the public property resulting in at least three police reports being made.

The NECAS Board even held a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2020, and disciplined its employee, EMT David Craig, by mandating he attend anger management classes, reimburse the cost of a new door (and installation) to the ambulance building, revoked the pay raise he received in August, and placed a signed letter in his personnel packet.

Since Thursday’s meeting, more information has come forwards, indicating that the situation is worse than was told prior to that meeting. The victim of the alleged abuse has filed for an Order of Protection with the Edgar County Circuit Court, to be heard at a later date.

Additionally, the Director of NECAS, Jeremy Neal, indicated to board members that either he knew nothing about the door being damaged, or that there was minimal damage to it, but further inquiry revealed he knew exactly what happened, when it happened, and even showed up at work to fix the door and door jam after it was broken by David Craig.

After interviewing several people, here is a shortlist of events and accusations:

  • Co-workers sleep upstairs while wearing bulletproof vests because they are scared of David
  • David gets hostile with patients
  • David broke the victim’s door at her home
  • David broke the door of the NECAS (photos below)
  • David battered victim (photos below)
  • Last August, David attempted to break thru the ambulance bay door while carrying a firearm (police report filed)
  • In Aug of 2019 he was involved in another incident of alleged violence and was told by the NECAS board that was his last chance and there would not be another chance (they must have changed their minds)
  • There are three police reports documenting these events
  • After breaking the NECAS door, David drove to the VA hospital in Marion, IL – instead of the one in Danville, IL
  • On the trip to Marion, David hot-boxed marijuana the whole way there and back (to make his head and his hand feel better)
  • Jeremy (NECAS Director) went to victim’s house and asked her to quit because he could not promise a safe working environment

We also obtained photographs and messages which appear to support the above allegations.

There is absolutely no place for employees, government or otherwise, who batter other employees. There is also no place for supervisors to knowingly protect the alleged batterer, ask the victim to resign, and lie to the board about what happened.

Both Jeremy Neal and David Craig should be terminated from their jobs for the betterment of NECAS, and for the protection of the public.

 

 

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27 Comments
  • Murphy
    Posted at 22:11h, 05 September

    Considering the reported prior, documented knowledge of the board of alleged violent behavior of any employee, IF said employee breaks bad, it will be very costly for the board. They will, at the least, have to write very large checks to any resulting victims. And that would be the least of the board’s worries.

  • Justice Seeker
    Posted at 07:34h, 06 September

    He should not only be terminated but charges should be filed and he should be in prison. Society will wait till he kills someone because no one wants to be the bad guy and prosecute. Wake up folks!!! That is why there is so much corruption! Do the right thing and prosecute! Oh wait, yet another worthless states attorney making a big check on the back of taxpayers who refuse to do the work of the people!

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 08:07h, 06 September

    Thank you so much for taking this seriously . I have lived everyday in fear .

  • Robert O. Bogue
    Posted at 10:03h, 06 September

    There was more than enough creditable information presented at the meeting to dismiss Craig. Businesses do it every day when an employee disparages or hurts his employer’s business by his actions. Not enough clarity in thinking on this issue..
    Efforts of good people, doing great things for their community and trying hard to make a difference were undermined by Craig’s behavior. NECAS wasn’t established to treat injuries inflicted on others by their staff. Bullies need dismissed. The discovery of undisclosed information warrants a revisit of the issue.

  • Amanda Foreman
    Posted at 11:51h, 06 September

    David should not be judged by the public until he is judged in court. Everything is allegations at this point. Jeremy has dedicated more than a decade of his life to protecting the citizens of this community. He would NOT jeopardize that trust if he felt like the situation warranted it. Everyone in the area appreciates all the hard work NECAS puts in to help our community in any way they can.

    • Lara
      Posted at 16:19h, 06 September

      I don’t care if he’s the savior of the universe, the man has hurt people. Stop simping for him.

  • Justice Seeker
    Posted at 22:32h, 06 September

    Amanda, are you a girlfriend? You speak like one who is abused by him and now is forced by him to cover. I sure hope you are safe and get away. I don’t care what he has done for 10 years. He needs his day in court. While he is waiting he does not need a paycheck from NECAS!!

  • Amanda Light
    Posted at 02:05h, 07 September

    Well, I’m not sure who Amanda Foreman is, but this Amanda is David’s ex-wife. I can honestly say he never put his hands on me in almost six years other than grabbing my wrist once—so I’d be super surprised if he has suddenly become a woman beater.

    • Fact Checker
      Posted at 09:29h, 07 September

      Amanda Light, there was at least one ex wife after you who could tell a completely different story. He himself has admitted he has a dark side and is violent. He knows he has PTSD. From being overseas, to losing his infant daughter. He refuses to get help.

      Amanda Foreman, you’ve been his girlfriend since a couple days before this incident. You don’t know what he’s like in a relationship. Maybe he would be different with you but he wasn’t even in a relationship with this victim yet he was jealous and controlling. She told him she was moving and he blew his top because he was losing his false hope and financial help.

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 10:36h, 07 September

    Amanda I sent the proof your way . Three police reports and your daughter saw me and him in heated arguments . You got beat from cheating on David … maybe you’re the cause of him becoming a woman beater .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 10:38h, 07 September

    I have all the proof that I need .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 10:39h, 07 September

    And there is no suddenly about this , Honey . He’s been abusing me for the past year . As far as this other Amanda they’ve been dating for less than a month and he was calling the bitch ugly to me but desperate measures I guess when you can’t get it from a 20 year old .

    • Jon
      Posted at 14:41h, 07 September

      She’s telling truth. He indeed is quite the abuser physically, mentally, emotionally. He did Infact scare the shit out of everybody with guns and try and dump her off on a interstate. Like it’s legit.

      • Jo Stakeman
        Posted at 15:04h, 07 September

        Thank you

        • Jo Stakeman
          Posted at 15:11h, 07 September

          You’re a coworker aren’t you …

          • Jon
            Posted at 15:35h, 07 September

            I was a coworker yes. That’s why I’m saying it’s true. I was there. That’s why I quit because he wouldn’t let up until I did.

          • Jo Stakeman
            Posted at 15:39h, 07 September

            Thank you …. thank you for adding more proof to this . You were there when he used guns against us .

  • Amanda Light
    Posted at 14:54h, 07 September

    Oh, Jo. Get your facts straight. A. I didn’t cheat on David. B. The incident where I was beaten and strangled occurred nearly an entire year after our divorce was final. These are easily verifiable facts using court records—because I reported the incident within hours. If you’ve been living in fear for a year, I would ask you why?

    Also, My daughter denies ever having seen him hurt you. And I would point out that the last time there was any trouble between you and I, it was because I was angry that YOU used drugs in front of my ten year old. Maybe if your judgement wasn’t so clouded, I’d have an easier time believing your story.

    And to some of the others commenting—he didn’t lose an “infant daughter”—his FOUR year old daughter drowned. She was on life support for three days, before being declared brain dead. He and her mother donated her organs. Her heart and kidneys saved two other lives—and the one time he grabbed my wrist was the week that happened. So i guess I’m going to give him a pass on that one—regardless if you do. He did have combat injuries. He does have PTSD. All of these occurred BEFORE I was married to him. I just hate to see him publicly lynched based on half-truths, and unlike many of you—I’m more than happy to attach my real name to my comments.

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:07h, 07 September

    My name is attached and I sent you all the screenshots yet you’re still in denial . What a bitch . I never used drugs in front of your daughter and you can ask lily and Allie . I came in crying and told them I would keep them safe at the Paris house and he came in screaming . Losing a daughter is pretty big but just because she was four that changes that they are lying ? Dave told me that he was getting help for his PTSD and you cheated on him and that’s when you got beaten up .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:08h, 07 September

    I sent you all the damn screenshots and you won’t even see that he admitted that he was the problem and he left me with attempted strangulation . Keep it up and I’ll see your ass in court as well because at this point , proof is in your face and you wanna be cocky .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:10h, 07 September

    We also debunked the whole drug use thing and Dave had my back on that . You better make sure your ass is covered before you start talking because you’re called an ex for a reason and you are probable cause for this abuse .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:12h, 07 September

    I can pass a drug screen . Your man can’t . Take that how you want it ✌️

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:31h, 07 September

    Not to mention you’ve been abused but you are here degrading the situation . You are just as bad as your ex husband .

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:41h, 07 September

    I messaged your phone and messenger @amanda light . I can’t lie when the proof is on my body and in text 🙃

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 15:47h, 07 September

    Didn’t you divorce him because he was buying guns and being immature and irresponsible? Hmmmm. 😂

  • Jo Stakeman
    Posted at 17:00h, 07 September

    Thanks for the death threats .

    • Amanda
      Posted at 20:18h, 08 September

      Who is sending death threats?

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