Story and photo borrowed from clickondetroit.com - April 10, 2006

View video of press conference here

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed a multimillion-dollar, wrongful-death lawsuit on behalf of the family of a Detroit boy who called 911 to get help for his mother, but was denied because the operator thought the call was a prank.

Fieger said Sherrill Lynn Turner died as a result of the actions of a 911 operator in Detroit, and the attorney said the incident was not an isolated occurrence in the city of Detroit.

An audio tape was played during a news conference at Fieger's Southfield office Monday morning of another 911 caller who was denied help, according to the attorney.

Lorraine Hayes called 911 on Jan. 12, 2005, to report that she was shot in her head and back by her husband, Fieger said.

"I'm on the floor. My body is numb. I am getting ready to die," said Hayes.

The 911 operator accused Hayes of having a mental problem and refused to provide help, according to Fieger. Hayes told the operator, "I am not crazy," according to the audio recording.

Hayes called a short time later, and the operator falsely told Hayes that an ambulance was being sent to her home, Fieger said. As a result of the incident, Hayes was paralyzed, according to Fieger.

Fieger said the city of Detroit has denied the incident with Hayes. A lawsuit was filed several months ago.

In the lawsuit filed on behalf of the Turner family Monday, Robert and his sister -- and now guardian -- Delaina Patterson, were present. Fieger said that Robert, 6, "did exactly what he had been taught to do by his mother."

Robert called 911 twice on Feb. 20 to get help for his mother, who had passed out on the kitchen floor of their home, Local 4 reported. The boy called 911, but was questioned by the operator who believed it was a prank, the station reported.

Operator: "Where's the grown-ups at?"

Robert: (Inaudible)

Operator: "Let me speak to her before I send the police over there."

Robert told the operator that his mother could not talk. He was scared by what the operator told him, so he hung up the telephone, unaware that his mother died, Local 4 reported.

Fieger and Robert appeared on NBC's "Today Show" Sunday morning to discuss the incident. Fieger said Sherrill Turner had an enlarged heart, but had a very good opportunity to survive.

"Had they responded immediately at that first call, just before 6 p.m., she certainly would have survived," said Fieger.

A friend of the 911 operator who answered the call offered her apology to Robert and his family.

Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully Cummings promised a thorough investigation of the operator's response, Local 4 reported.

Return to Fieger New Case page