Woman speaks out about squirrel in shirt
By DARCIE LORENO Tribune ChronicleArticle Links
» Link to videoWARREN - Over the past week, Amber Finney has been on newscasts all over Ohio, in Michigan, Florida and even Washington.
She's been on CNN, truTV and is wanted by Inside Edition.
It's been nearly three months since she sneaked a baby squirrel - using her bosom as a hiding place - into a police interview room, and a week since Tribune news partner WYTV 33 aired the original footage.
When she found out Wednesday, it became the worst day of her life. Thursday, she cursed and threatened to sue Warren Detective Wayne Mackey. But by Friday, she was basking in the glow of celebrity in what she described as ''a whole new chapter'' in her life.
She had a simple answer for why the furry creature, Stripe, found itself in the interview room back in April.
''It had a broken leg, and I didn't want to leave him alone,'' she said Friday. ''You can't take animals into the jail, and it was the only place I could put him.''
The footage dates back to April 28, shortly after a drive-by shooting on Wick Street S.E. that killed two. Finney was one of several people interviewed in the investigation, and it was video recorded.
Just prior, Finney said a friend brought her the baby squirrel - which has since been let free - after finding it with a broken leg. She's always taken care of stray and hurt animals, she said, and took the rodent under her wing. When she was called in to the interview, she didn't want to leave it alone, so she put it in her shirt.
But not without some reservations from Charlene Jones, known as ''Mama Char'' in their Front Street neighborhood.
''Before I dropped her off, I asked her, 'Are you going to take the squirrel out?' '' said Jones. ''When that little thing came out, he was cute and comfortable, so I said why not girl?''
The footage shows Finney being questioned, and the squirrel peeping out of her shirt. At one point, she bends over to look at her cell phone and the squirrel makes its way out. When she calmly places it back inside her shirt, Mackey doesn't react.
''I went right on about my business,'' he said. ''She didn't acknowledge it, so I didn't. I didn't know if I would embarrass her or what.''
It was a relief to Finney.
''I thought (Mackey) was going to yell at me,'' she said. ''But he didn't even say anything.''
Mackey said he's seen plenty as a detective for the department, including during one interview where a couple began making out in the interview room while waiting for him to arrive.
''But this was definitely the most unexpected thing I've ever had happen,'' Mackey said. ''I would say as far as unexpected, this would rank right up there.
"I'm used to two legs instead of four," Mackey said.
Despite the popularity of Web sites like YouTube, Mackey is still surprised by the attention the video has received.
The story has been picked up on newscasts all over Ohio. It was featured last week on CNN, and at one point, was the most downloaded video on CNN's Web site. Crews from truTV interviewed Mackey on Thursday. Inside Edition has requested to speak with the two. And the story was even mentioned in a blog written by celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.
"Who knows what will be next," Mackey said.
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nicepeoplerule
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07-05-09 3:14 PM
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I think thats sweet that she helped him recover from his broken leg. Its also sweet that she helps stray and wounded animals. I bet that squirrel is a better friend to her than any of you people could be. These people laugh and make fun of someone for being the kind-hearted compassionate person they know they never will be.
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pahootaman
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07-05-09 1:15 PM
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My mind just asploded.
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poppee
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07-04-09 11:55 PM
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I didn't realize this was in Warren, but then again it could only happen in Warren. Happy 4th.
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moonie
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07-04-09 10:51 PM
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How is this newsworthy? Slow news day in Warren, folks.
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paulydel
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07-04-09 8:14 PM
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Gives a whole new meaning to animal kingdom don't it?
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jonathon
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07-04-09 7:21 PM
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she should have put the squirrel in that empty space between her ears instead of in her over stuffed shirt
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Karrilyn
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07-04-09 5:56 PM
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Jealous of what? that there is nothing warm and fuzzy in our shirts?
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fairness
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07-04-09 5:29 PM
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Some of you must live a dull life. If things like this are a waste to you, quit getting on here and go find something to your liking to do. You are the ones who are wasting everyones time. Then again maybe you are jealous it's not you.
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MYVIEW
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07-04-09 12:35 PM
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This was about the dumbest article written considered to be newsworthy!
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TomSmith
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07-04-09 12:25 PM
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Gee.. She has a Pit Bull and she takes in Pitt Bulls, but according to Warren, No Pitt Bulls have be registered in the city to date which is required by law. OK.. How much more info does the dog catcher need to go and cite her? She's on video walking one for christ sake!
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Karrilyn
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07-04-09 10:20 AM
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nativio, lol.
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marsh29
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07-04-09 10:15 AM
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Hmm what would happen if a dude had a squirrel in his pants..I think he would be in jail with animal cruelity...I think the detective should have sued for sexual harrassment haha
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nativio289
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07-04-09 9:47 AM
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What a classy gal! That was some outfit she was wearing! And what a great tattoo! God bless Warren and God save Trumbull County!
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Handala
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07-04-09 9:36 AM
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I seen the video which was very telling!No HMMs? about which is which!
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taxpayer
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07-04-09 9:26 AM
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Beast is a very strong word to assign to someone you have never met.
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Handala
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07-04-09 9:12 AM
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This isn't a "simple story about a girl with baby squirrel." It is a simpleton story about beauty and the beast...the baby squirrel is the beauty of it!Hmm?
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taxpayer
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07-04-09 8:49 AM
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A good day for the haters. A simple story about a girl with baby squirrel and another opportunity to be mean and hurtful, good for you guys. Happy fourth of July!
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JoeCool
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07-04-09 8:42 AM
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"I'm gonna sue your *** for all that you got, you no good lousy...wait...wow, cameras on me! I'm a star! All these people akskin' me questions!" What a proud moment in Warren's history.
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Handala
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07-04-09 8:06 AM
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A squirrelly story about a boob!Hmm?
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TomSmith
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07-04-09 7:59 AM
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This story is all over the place. If you can't write a simple story so it can be completely understood after the first read, then stop trying.
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Sassysue
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07-04-09 7:43 AM
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Still wondering why I might care.
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anniemae
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07-04-09 7:03 AM
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Gosh, how newsworthy is this? Sorta waste of paper, I think. Our media must be hurting for news.
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BankerTn
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07-04-09 6:42 AM
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Poor Mackey had to see it live and in person....gross...
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HoofHearted
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07-04-09 1:43 AM
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She threatened to sue Mackey??? For what, the original tape had her face blurred and those tapes are all public record anyways. Why would anyone in their right mind bring a squirrel into an interview to begin with. Too bad you can't be charged for being stupid, she would spend the rest of her life in jail.
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Suzann
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07-04-09 1:21 AM
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Who cares and what a waste of time...
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