Actions of dispatcher who took Amanda Berry’s 911 call ‘under review’

TORONTO – The actions of the emergency call taker who received the 911 call from missing Cleveland woman Amanda Berry are under review.

“While the call-taker complied with policies and procedures which enabled a very fast response by police, we have noted some concerns which will be the focus of our review, including the call-taker’s failure to remain on the line with Ms. Berry until police arrived on the scene,” said Martin Flask, director of Cleveland’s department of public safety in a written statement.  “Please be assured that this matter will be investigated, and if necessary, appropriate corrective action taken.”

Flask did note that due to the caller’s quick actions, police were dispatched and on the scene in less than two minutes.

Three women missing for ten years were rescued Monday from a Cleveland home in Ohio. Amanda Berry, 27, Michelle Knight, 32, and DeJesus, about 23, had apparently been held captive in the house since their teens or early 20s, police said.

PROFILES: Who’s who in the Cleveland missing women case

A 6-year-old girl believed to be Berry’s daughter also was found in the home, according to authorities.

Police were led to a house in near downtown Cleveland Monday after woman called 911, her voice frantic and breathless as she choked back tears. “Help me. I’m Amanda Berry,” she told the emergency dispatcher. “I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years and I’m, I’m here, I’m free now.”

AUDIO: Amanda Berry’s 911 call

Brothers Ariel Castro, 52; Pedro Castro, 54; and Onil Castro, 50 were arrested and while no charges have been filed against the men,  police said they could appear in court as early as Wednesday morning.

The results of the internal review will be publically released when concluded, according to the statement.

A transcript of the 911 call can be found below:

(unintelligible)

Caller: Help me. I’m Amanda Berry.

Dispatcher: You need police, fire, ambulance?

Caller: I need police.

Dispatcher: OK, and what’s going on there?

Caller: I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years, and I’m, I’m here, I’m free now.

Dispatcher: OK, and what’s your address?

Caller: 2207 Seymour Avenue.

Dispatcher: 2207 Seymour. Looks like you’re calling me from 2210.

Caller: Huh?

Dispatcher: Looks like you’re calling me from 2210.

Caller: I can’t hear you.

Dispatcher: Looks like you’re calling me from 2210 Seymour.

Caller: I’m across the street; I’m using the phone.

Dispatcher: OK, stay there with those neighbours. Talk to police when they get there.

Caller: (Crying)

Dispatcher: OK, talk to police when they get there.

Caller: OK. Hello?

Dispatcher: OK, talk to the police when they get there.

Caller: OK (unintelligible).

Dispatcher: We’re going to send them as soon as we get a car open.

Caller: No, I need them now before he gets back.

Dispatcher: All right; we’re sending them, OK?

Caller: OK, I mean, like …

Dispatcher: Who’s the guy you’re trying — who’s the guy who went out?

Caller: Um, his name is Ariel Castro.

Dispatcher: OK. How old is he?

Caller: He’s like 52.

Dispatcher: And, uh –

Caller: I’m Amanda Berry. I’ve been on the news for the last 10 years.

Dispatcher: I got, I got that, dear. (Unintelligible) And, you say, what was his name again?

Caller: Uh, Ariel Castro.

Dispatcher: And is he white, black or Hispanic?

Caller: Uh, Hispanic.

Dispatcher: What’s he wearing?

Caller (agitated): I don’t know, ’cause he’s not here right now. That’s why I ran away.

Dispatcher: When he left, what was he wearing?

Caller: Who knows (unintelligible).

Dispatcher: The police are on their way; talk to them when they get there.

Caller: Huh? I – OK.

Dispatcher: I told you they’re on their way; talk to them when they get there, OK.

Caller: All right, OK. Bye.

– with files from The Associated Press