911 operator thinks emergency call is prank

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Mrvile

Mrvile

Lifer
Oct 16, 2004
14,066
1
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Story
An investigation is underway in Detroit after a six-year-old boy called 911 to get help for his mom, and the operator acted as if it were a joke.

Detroit NBC Affiliate WDIV reports that six-year-old Robert Turner called 911 on February 20. He thought his mother, 46-year-old Sherrill Turner, had passed out. She was later found dead.

911 tapes detail the call, where the boy tells a female operator that his mom had passed out. The operator demands to speak to an adult before sending police.

The boy eventually hung up and called back a short time later. This time, the same operator warns the boy that he could get in trouble for making a prank call to 911. The boy said police didn't arrive until three hours later and found his mother dead.

The boy is living with family members, who are now pursuing a lawsuit.

Officials said the 911 operator will be disciplined, but because of her years of service she will not be fired.

Police continue to investigate.
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Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Sad thin gis he had to call back like 3 times to get someone to come out.

I hope that person gets put in jail for something. Maybe just for being stupid.

That kid deserves a crapload of money from the lawsuit. He ws smart enough to know who to call and they did nothing.
 
D

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Wait, so years of sh!tty service means she won't be fired? Oh it's Detroit? Par for the course.
 
D

dawnbug

Golden Member
Oct 29, 2002
1,670
0
0
I'm really impressed with the kid.

And really unimpressed with the 911 operator. Aren't they supposed to send someone out even if it might be a joke? Better safe than sorry.
 
H

happybelly

Senior member
Dec 4, 2004
493
0
0
Yeah, it's really worth taking the risk of not sending somebody because you THINK it's a joke. WTF?

Do your damn job.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Oh, no. I can't imagine how sad the boy must be. :(

She deserves a charge of criminal negligence at the very least, in addition to losing her job.
 
T

Trikat

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
3,384
0
86
I think if you listen to the phone recordings it does sound like a prank or some kid playing around. I only heard the part they put on the news.
To me it seemed like the kid could have been slightly mentally challenged.
Even if so she should have send out a unit to check on the prank call. Unfortunately it probably would have been too late by then as there would be brain damage.

Edit: I also believe those operators get a ton of prank calls and she was pretty much fed up with it.
 
D

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: LadyBuggy
I'm really impressed with the kid.

And really unimpressed with the 911 operator. Aren't they supposed to send someone out even if it might be a joke? Better safe than sorry.
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That's what I thought, but then again, I mean you are talking about Detroit... If it can be proven that the mother had a chance at survival had EMT's been dispatched, I'd say prosecute for manslaughter.
 
L

latino666

Golden Member
Sep 27, 2005
1,103
0
0
I know Gefforey Fieger is handling the case. It's been the talk of Detroit for the past few days.

Here is a link to the other case he has going for him too.

Caller: "My name is Lorraine."
Dispatcher: "Are you a male or a female?"
Caller: "I'm a female. I've been shot in the head and I'm dying."
Dispatcher: "Who shot you in the head?"
Caller: "I'm on the floor now."
Dispatcher "Are you bleeding?
Caller: "I'm getting ready to die."
Dispatcher: "Are you a mental patient?"
Caller: "No, ma'am."
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Thats just sad.
 
M

MisterJackson

Lifer
Jun 19, 2004
10,860
1
81
Originally posted by: Trikat
I think if you listen to the phone recordings it does sound like a prank or some kid playing around. I only heard the part they put on the news.
To me it seemed like the kid could have been slightly mentally challenged.
Even if so she should have send out a unit to check on the prank call. Unfortunately it probably would have been too late by then as there would be brain damage.

Edit: I also believe those operators get a ton of prank calls and she was pretty much fed up with it.
Click to expand...


Still no justification. It's not up to her to decide who gets service and who doesn't. ALL calls should be answered and responders dispatched no matter how ludicrious the call or caller may sound. Hell, if anything, and EMERGENCY situation would be reason enough to sound like a prank call just from being frantic and in an EMERGENCY.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
At the very least she should get fired. What? She's served for a long time so she won't be? That's BS :|
 
D

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: latino666
I know Gefforey Fieger is handling the case. It's been the talk of Detroit for the past few days.

Here is a link to the other case he has going for him too.

Caller: "My name is Lorraine."
Dispatcher: "Are you a male or a female?"
Caller: "I'm a female. I've been shot in the head and I'm dying."
Dispatcher: "Who shot you in the head?"
Caller: "I'm on the floor now."
Dispatcher "Are you bleeding?
Caller: "I'm getting ready to die."
Dispatcher: "Are you a mental patient?"
Caller: "No, ma'am."
Click to expand...

Thats just sad.
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WOW...just...wow
 
D

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Sad thin gis he had to call back like 3 times to get someone to come out.

I hope that person gets put in jail for something. Maybe just for being stupid.

That kid deserves a crapload of money from the lawsuit. He ws smart enough to know who to call and they did nothing.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!!... the girl should be fired and charge with something with hefty fines.
 
J

JDrake

Banned
Dec 27, 2005
10,246
0
0
Exactly. Hell, one time one of my friends called 911 when we were little and then was like "whoops crap didn't mean to call, ignore me, I'm sorry, etc, etc"
and they still sent a cop car :p
 
M

mrchan

Diamond Member
May 18, 2000
3,123
0
0
IIRC if you call 911 and hang up, they are required by law to a) call you back, and b) send a response if you don't pick up.
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
Damn that operator should face criminal charges IMO. Especially if it can be determined that the boy's mother would be alive if help arrived on time.
 
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