5-Year-Old Calm in Emergency: Girl Calls 911 After Dad Found Bleeding
By Mike Sakal, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.
Mar. 2–A 5-year-old Scottsdale girl remained calm and followed the instructions of a 911 dispatcher after she found her father unconscious and bleeding on the floor, a recording of the call reveals.
Her father has been in the hospital since the Sunday incident, and a hospital official said his condition deteriorated early Wednesday from serious to critical condition.
Police said they are considering submitting the case to prosecutors because Peter Hickock, 40, had a blood alcohol level of .345 when he was found.
Hickock’s daughter discovered him in her bedroom and called 911 about 7:15 p.m. Sunday, police said.
The 5-year-old’s call provided vivid details of what she encountered and how well she handled the procedure of alerting emergency personnel.
The girl, who told the dispatcher she was in kindergarten, gave her street address and said when she last spoke with her father. She said her father had been dizzy and had bumped into something. He was covered with blood and wouldn’t wake up, she said.
The dispatcher urged the girl to stay on the telephone.
“I’m not scared,” the girl said.
The dispatcher responded, “You’re doing so good. I’m glad you’re not scared.”
The girl said her mother was on vacation in Hawaii, and that they had a dog in the house she would “have to put away in the bathroom.”
Scottsdale detective Sam Bailey was unable to release more details about the incident, but said investigators told him Hickock had a cut above his eye. Scottsdale Healthcare spokeswoman Jennifer Bonfiglio, who released Hickock’s medical condition, said she could provide no other information about his injury.
A state Child Protective Services spokeswoman said the girl is in the care of a family friend.
911 excerpt
911: “This is Jennifer. Please state your emergency.” Girl: “My dad has blood all over hisself.” 911: “OK — What happened?” Girl: “I tried to wake him up, and he has blood all over himself and the room.” 911: “Can you wake him up?” Girl: “I tried to wake him up, but he’s asleep.” 911: “OK. How old are you?” Girl: “Five. And he has blood on the covers and on his eyebrows and on his clothes.” 911: “OK. I want you to stay away from him. Are you in the same room with him?” Girl: “Yes. I’m trying to see what’s wrong with him, but he won’t answer.” Source: Scottsdale Police Department
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