Tragedy and Justice

911 is there to help, right? Emergency services are in most communities around the nation, but in Detroit a few months ago, a couple of 911 operators just plain didn't care.

Robert Turner, then a five year old child, called 911 when his mother passed out. He was dying of an enlarged heart. He called at 5:59 p.m. for 43 seconds, and was told by a very mean operator to "stop pranking" the 911 line and that he would be in trouble with the police if he called back. No investigators were sent, even though he clearly described what was happening to his mother. He finally called back again at 9:02 p.m. for 1 minute, 16 seconds. He again received a stern rebuke and a threat from the operator. Police were sent to the home later in the evening and found a dead mother - a death that should have been prevented if those two did their job.

Now, these operators are facing criminal charges for their actions (and lack of actions). As the Detroit Free Press reports:

In a move viewed as unprecedented, the Wayne County prosecutor charged two 911 operators Wednesday for dismissing a 5-year-old boy's calls for help on the day his mother collapsed and died...

In announcing the misdemeanor charges at a news conference, Prosecutor Kym Worthy said: "The actions of these two 911 operators were egregious. ... This is not what we expect or should expect at any time from our 911 operators."

The two operators face up to a year in jail if convicted.