Friday, February 12, 2010

Article: Teaching Children To Call 911 In Emergencies

February 11, 2010 - Tulsa, OK reporter: Jerry Giordano posted by: Natalie Andes from NewsChannel 8

Would your child know what to do during an emergency?

A frightened 9-year-old girl was able to call 911 as she and her mother were threatened in their home by her mother's ex-boyfriend.

33-year-old Allen Shields was arrested for breaking into their home. Police say, he waited for hours for his ex-girlfriend to arrive and then attacked her.

A bond hearing is scheduled for Shields Friday morning.

During an emergency every second counts and this 9 year old Tulsa girl was certainly put to the test earlier this week.

The 911 operator asks her "Who's trying to kill your mom? If you're in your room, then can you tell me."

She tells her, "My mom's ex-boyfriend."

"Her ex-boyfriend? What's his name?"

She says, "Allen Shields."

Tulsa Officer Jason Willingham says, "She did an outstanding job. She remained calm and that is the first and foremost thing we need to talk about."

Willingham says there are some very definite pieces of information EVERY child should know, especially if there's some sort of emergency.

"It's very important to know your address and momma and daddy's name because we could be led to the wrong place," he says.

In this case the mother feared this could happen and actually trained her daughter in what to do. Experts say that's another great idea.

'We talk about how to get out of the house if there's a fire, but we don't talk about how to dial 911," explains Willingham.

In the end police broke through the door and Allen Shields was taken into police custody.

But if it weren't for the quick thinking and quick action of a 9 year old girl this story might have had a very different ending.

There is a bond hearing set for Allen Shields Friday morning. Bond is currently set at $1.2 million.

Land-lines and most cell phones automatically tell 911 operators your exact location. But some cell phone companies do not, so it's still a good idea to post your address where your child can find it.

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