Florida woman’s finger severed in library drop box

MOUNT DORA, Fla. – A 62-year-old Mount Dora woman reportedly lost a part of her finger to a drop box at a local public library.

Barbara Haverly said she was injured while attempting to return books July 28, telling The Washington Post that “the whole thing is just such a nightmare.”

What began as an errand run turned into a bloody scene for Haverly at W.T. Bland Public Library, located on North Donnelly Street, she said. Despite having returned books in the same manner numerous times before, Haverly reported feeling a rush of pain while pulling her left hand out of the box. What she at first assumed was just uncomfortable hand placement soon became clear as a severed middle finger, detached just below the fingernail.

Though she’s a registered nurse, Haverly told The Post that she didn’t know what to do while she watched herself bleed, claiming she was in shock. As library staff rushed to her aid and called 911, one employee retrieved her severed finger from the drop-off receptacle, according to the writeup.

Doctors could not reattach Haverly’s finger and she was released from the hospital July 30, the report states. A sign since placed above the drop box reads, “Please do not place your hand inside this book drop,” according to The Post.

Christopher Largey, Haverly’s attorney, filed a claim against the city and told The Post it was unlike any other incident he’s seen in 20 years of practice.

“She didn’t do anything wrong other than return her books — to her peril,” Largey said.

Read further on The Washington Post.

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