(InvestigateTV) — A lawsuit over a mishandled 911 call has led to a multi-million dollar settlement for a Kansas City area man, but he says even more importantly, he hopes it will lead to change.
Cathryn McClelland was 41 years old when she collapsed in her Prairie Village home five years ago. She was home alone with her two young children. Her 8-year-old son called 911 for help.
The call was made on a cell phone, so it should have gone to the Prairie Village Police Department. Instead, it went to Kansas City. The released 911 tape revealed call takers were confused on how to handle it.
“I’ve listened to this call repeatedly,” said Frank McClelland, Cathy’s husband. “I still feel it’s heart-wrenching. Makes me choke up every time I hear (my son’s) voice on that call.”
The call needed to be transferred to Johnson County, but it stayed in Kansas City. Call takers couldn’t seem to find the right number to make the transfer.
In all, it took 13 minutes before an ambulance was sent to Cathryn’s home. First responders got a pulse, but her brain was deprived of oxygen for too long. She died four days later.
Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.