5-year old boy's 911 call marked as 'Prank'

[Janice]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS01/801160333/1003 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS01/801160333/1003)


]http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20080116&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=801160333&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=275&MaxH=300&border=0 (http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20080116&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=801160333&Ref=AR&Profile=1003)
Robert Turner, now 7, called 911 in February 2006 as his
mother lay unconscious. She died of an enlarged heart.


Boy's 911 call marked as prank

'She hung up on me,' he testifies at dispatchers' trial

The first 911 call was coded by operators as "pk" for prank.

The second call, three hours later, was coded "family trouble."

On both occasions, a 46-year-old woman lay unconscious in her nightgown on the floor of her Detroit apartment as her 5-year-old son tried to get help. And on neither call did dispatchers request EMS.

On the first call, 911 dispatcher Sharon Nichols, 45, told the boy, Robert Turner, "I'm gonna send the police to your house and find out what's going on with you." Then she hung up, according to transcripts. She never requested any action.

Only after the second call and a scolding did 911 operator Terri Sutton, 48, request a police response. Police arrived and found Sherrill Turner dead. They then called for EMS assistance. It was later learned that Turner died of an enlarged heart.

But before calling police, Sutton told Robert: "You shouldn't be playing on the phone," and "Now put her on the phone before I send the police out there to knock on your door and you're going to be in trouble."

Both operators are on trial in Detroit's 36th District Court, charged with misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty in connection with the Feb. 20, 2006, phone calls at 5:59 p.m. and 9:02 p.m. They face up to a year in jail if convicted.

Robert, now 7, dressed in a Spider-Man T-shirt, testified Tuesday that he put his hands on his mother's chest and didn't feel a heartbeat. He said he called 911.

"She hung up on me," Robert said. "She said, 'Stop playing on the phone.' "

When Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Lora Weingarden asked him how the operator treated him, the boy replied, "Not good."

E.J. Reeves, who supervises the 911 call center in Detroit, testified that if a child calls in and says his or her mother has passed out, then EMS should be requested before police.

She also testified operators are trained to "assume any call that comes in is an emergency."

Sutton's lawyer, David Lee, contended in his opening statement that his client called police, proving she did not ignore the boy.

Nichols' lawyer, Cornelius Pitts, told jurors that Robert's mother already was dead when the call came in. He said the trial will expose flaws in Detroit's 911 system and that the city is trying to scapegoat the dispatchers.

"It was a rush to judgment based on this city administration's cowardice, ineptness, their interest in saving their own hides, to blame the operators," Pitts said.

[catlover79]

That's terrible!!! :mad:

[Scoobiedoo30]

what is going to happen to the boy who called 911

[LuLu Rogers]

Idiots, they should have checked on him! :mad:

[Hollow]

i remember when that happened. hope those idiots rot.

[Stormtracker TF]

I remember this, it was a huge story around here. Both sad and disgusting, and stuff like this goes on far too often around here.

[junecleaver]

they're supposed to respond regardless. Even if kids are prank calling 911, they still have to respond because it'll scare the crap out of them when cops show up to arrest them.

[catlover79]

they're supposed to respond regardless. Even if kids are prank calling 911, they still have to respond because it'll scare the crap out of them when cops show up to arrest them.
I agree 100%. They'll REALLY learn a lesson then!!

[Lee]

Sutton's lawyer, David Lee, contended in his opening statement that his client called police, proving she did not ignore the boy.

Nichols' lawyer, Cornelius Pitts, told jurors that Robert's mother already was dead when the call came in. He said the trial will expose flaws in Detroit's 911 system and that the city is trying to scapegoat the dispatchers
"It was a rush to judgment based on this city administration's cowardice, ineptness, their interest in saving their own hides, to blame the operators," Pitts said.

Those 911 dispatchers were idiots and their lawyers are even bigger idiots-
how anyone could even think that those dispatchers responded in an
appropriate manner is beyond me. The City Of Detroit and Wayne County is
taking the right steps in my opinion because what those two 911 dispatchers
did was wrong, there is no doubt whatsoever about that. I just hope that
the boy is not castigated and humiliated because of this. I hope those two
911 dispatchers(if you can call them that) serve time in prison for this utter
injustice.

[Hollow]

they're supposed to respond regardless. Even if kids are prank calling 911, they still have to respond because it'll scare the crap out of them when cops show up to arrest them.
hah....excellent point.

[Pus$y Galore]

Yes, I thought 911 HAD to dispatch no matter what and if it turned out to be a true prank then they deal with it legally after the fact.

That poor sweet looking kid - now motherless. You CAN'T compensate that.:(

[Ireneparalegal]

Those 911 dispatchers were idiots and their lawyers are even bigger idiots-
how anyone could even think that those dispatchers responded in an
appropriate manner is beyond me. The City Of Detroit and Wayne County is
taking the right steps in my opinion because what those two 911 dispatchers
did was wrong, there is no doubt whatsoever about that. I just hope that
the boy is not castigated and humiliated because of this. I hope those two
911 dispatchers(if you can call them that) serve time in prison for this utter
injustice.
I heard today that both of them won't face any charges of any kind. Most likely, they will both be fired. I hope the family sues those b*tches civilly. :mad:

[Janice]

I think of that poor little boy, Robert, only five years old, feeling for his mother's pulse, by putting his hands on her chest. How scared he must have been. I could cry my heart out, with that image in my mind. :( He did what he was taught to do, like a good little boy, and instead of getting the help he needed, he gets hung up on and scolded by two :censored: bitches, who I would personally like to smack them in the face.

There were three hours between Robert's calls to those two ass:censored:. Imagine how frightened and confused he must have felt. They never sent medical help. They finally sent the cops to have him busted. A five-year old, trying to save his mother's life, and getting yelled at and threatened. I hope they go to prison. I hope his family sues and he ends up getting ALL those :censored: own and half of Detroit.

[Pus$y Galore]

I heard today that both of them won't face any charges of any kind. Most likely, they will both be fired. I hope the family sues those b*tches civilly. :mad:


I cannot believe that. Why is it public servants seem to be protected more. That is a major breach of protacall. Meanwhile, they'll lose their jobs, but their pensions will be left intact and they'll like be given good references or some sort of severence. Ridiculous.

[Janice]

I heard today that both of them won't face any charges of any kind. Most likely, they will both be fired. I hope the family sues those b*tches civilly. :mad:
The article here states that they've been charged with misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty . Sounds like the trial is underway now.

[Ireneparalegal]

Ahhhh, wait a minute. you are right Janice. My boyfriend reiterated what the news said.

[Janice]

Being charged and going to trial are two different things. I heard on the news two hours ago that the charges were going to be dropped.
They are on trial, according to the article.

[Ireneparalegal]

^^^ I edited my post. Sorry.

Also, my boyfriend told me that one of the families did in fact file a million dollar lawsuit last year. It was hard hearing the news with a 6 year old in my face. :lol:

[Janice]

^^^ I edited my post. Sorry.

Also, my boyfriend told me that one of the families did in fact file a million dollar lawsuit last year. It was hard hearing the news with a 6 year old in my face. :lol:
Yeah, I'm spittin' nickels over this story. The lawyer has the right name, Pitts, cause he sure is the pitts, lol.

[Ireneparalegal]

Pitts...I wonder what his middle name is...a**hole? :lol:

Yeah, I know what you mean, when I was "trying to hear" this story, I was shocked and I was upset that not one but TWO dispatchers assumed the same thing. I think what happened is those two "ladies" work side by side in the same dispatch office and when the call came in the first time, that dispatcher must have told the other one abt the call and how it was a prank. So, when the second call came in, that dispatcher already was aware of the call. Why would two dispatchers assume the same thing? I find that strange. I want to see these two b*tches pay for their stupidity and callousness.

[*Happy Face*]

That's so awful!!!,I mean they should have no trouble determing real
emergency calls and prank calls. In our state,Both published and
non-published numbers and addresses are displayed on the computer
screens when you call 911,I guess it's the same everywhere?

[Janice]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/80118030/1054/SPORTS06

911 operator found guilty

Emergency operator Sharon Nichols maintained her composure as a jury read a guilty verdict against her today for mishandling a 911 call from a 5-year-old Detroit boy seeking help for his unconscious mother.

But she exploded into tears and buried her head in the shoulder of a fellow 911 operator as she left the courtroom. The other operator, Terri Sutton, was found not guilty by a judge on the same accusation earlier this week.

“I’m so sorry,” Sutton told Nichols. “I’m so sorry.”

A jury of five women and one man delivered the guilty verdict at 12:27 p.m. today after nearly three hours of deliberations in 36th District Court.

Nichols was convicted of willful neglect of duty, a misdemeanor, and faces up to one year in jail. She will be sentenced by Judge Paula Humphries on March 11.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Lora Weingarden said she is thrilled with the verdict.

“I hope that it makes every 911 operator in the city and across the country think real hard before dismissing a call as a prank,” Weingarden said outside the courtroom.

She said the case marks the first time nationally that a 911 operator has been charged with a crime for mishandling a phone call.

Jurors all declined to comment as they left the courtroom.

The case stems from a Feb. 20, 2006, call from Robert Turner, then 5, to 911 after his mother fell unconscious in her Detroit home. It was later determined that his mother, Sherrill Turner, died of complications of an enlarged heart.

Robert’s father, Robert Yelder, 57, said his son has not recovered from the incident.

“I feel that justice has been done,” Yelder said today. “The family is very happy. My son has been going through a lot. We thank the jury for doing a wonderful job.”

Nichols, 45, testified Thursday that she could not hear Robert on the other end of the line.

The boy called 911 at 5:59 p.m. and reached Nichols telling her, "My mom has passed out."

On the 911 audiotape, Nichols is heard saying, "I'm gonna send the police to your house and find out what's going on with you."

Asked why she did not request a police car, Nichols said she believed the call to be a prank.

"I was trying to get him to admit he was playing on the phone," she said. "I heard a mumble, but I did not really hear what he said."

Weingarden said Nichols was a terrible witness.

“I don’t think she told the truth and I think the jury saw through that,” she said.

On the night in question, Robert called back at 9:02 p.m. and reached operator Sutton, who scolded him but requested a police response. Detroit police arrived at the apartment in about five minutes, records show, and found Sherrill Turner dead.

On Wednesday, Judge Humphries dismissed charges against Sutton, 48, after prosecutors presented their case against her. Her attorney, David Lee, requested the dismissal, and it was granted before the case went to a jury.

Humphries said Sutton, who was a 19-year veteran, may have been rude to the boy over the phone, but she requested a police car.

Nichols and her attorney Cornelius Pitts said the case would be appealed but was uncertain whether he would handle the appeal.

[Courtnee]

I think of that poor little boy, Robert, only five years old, feeling for his mother's pulse, by putting his hands on her chest. How scared he must have been. I could cry my heart out, with that image in my mind. :( He did what he was taught to do, like a good little boy, and instead of getting the help he needed, he gets hung up on and scolded by two :censored: bitches, who I would personally like to smack them in the face.

There were three hours between Robert's calls to those two ass:censored:. Imagine how frightened and confused he must have felt. They never sent medical help. They finally sent the cops to have him busted. A five-year old, trying to save his mother's life, and getting yelled at and threatened. I hope they go to prison. I hope his family sues and he ends up getting ALL those :censored: own and half of Detroit.
Well said. If it were a child related to me, I would make DAMN sure that those stupid faces lose their jobs over this.

[waichingliu81]

what makes me mad is the fact that those retards had the nerve to dismiss such a call, and one that could've saved the life of his mother.

yeah there can be idiots who make stupid prank calls, but this one was genuine enough to be taken seriously- and yet what does the operator do? throw it back in that poor kid's face :mad:

those two women should be sacked and should never be allowed to work for their company ever again

[Hollow]

But she exploded into tears and buried her head in the shoulder of a fellow 911 operator as she left the courtroom.
haha.

trying to get him to admit he was "playing on the phone"...way to turn the 911 system into a ****ing game. :rolleyes: if i knew the kid's family, i'd do everything i could to ruin that ****rag's life.

[Janice]

Here's the 911 calls, on the right of the page. The first call is the one with the operator who was just convicted. The second call, while disgusting and heartbreaking, at least that operator sent help. Not medical help either, but the police, to bust the little boy. She should have been convicted too.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/80118030/1054/SPORTS06

[Stuck In The '70's]

This is all sickening. I don't care if they thought it was a prank or not. 911 operators are supposed to respond no matter what. Crying isn't going to get any sympathy from me. :ohno:

[Hollow]

Here's the 911 calls, on the right of the page. The first call is the one with the operator who was just convicted. The second call, while disgusting and heartbreaking, at least that operator sent help. Not medical help either, but the police, to bust the little boy. She should have been convicted too.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/80118030/1054/SPORTS06
ugh...people like them just shouldn't exist. he was lucky to even realize that something was wrong with his mom (as opposed to thinking she was asleep) and he was lucky to know what to do about it. most five-year-olds wouldn't have. but he got nothing out of it besides two slacking idiots letting his mother die.

[Janice]

ugh...people like them just shouldn't exist. he was lucky to even realize that something was wrong with his mom (as opposed to thinking she was asleep) and he was lucky to know what to do about it. most five-year-olds wouldn't have. but he got nothing out of it besides two slacking idiots letting his mother die.
I know. What gets me is that I don't think many people are going to prank a 911 Call Center because most everyone knows their number and address comes up on the computer. That leaves the nitwits doing it from payphones or something like that. It was obvious from his voice that this child was very young and not pranking. There's just no excuse. What's the worst that could happen, the EMTs go to a house for no reason? I'd like to smash their heads together.