DETROIT— An arbitrator says Detroit must rehire a 911 operator convicted of willful neglect of duty for ignoring a boy’s call about his unconscious mother, who later died.
DETROIT— An arbitrator says Detroit must rehire a 911 operator convicted of willful neglect of duty for ignoring a boy’s call about his unconscious mother, who later died. Police spokesman John Roach says the city will comply. Sharon Nichols was fired and served a year’s probation for her handling of the call. Then-5-year-old Robert Turner dialed 911 on Feb. 20, 2006, saying his mother had collapsed. Nichols accused him of playing games and didn’t send help. Robert called back three hours later and another operator scolded him but sent police, who found 46-year-old Sherrill Turner dead from an apparent heart condition. A message seeking comment was left Thursday for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1023. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.