Convicted Dispatcher Receives Probation

A Detroit (Mich.) dispatcher who was convicted earlier this year for criminal neglect of duty has been sentenced to one year’s probation and 100 hours of community service. Sharon Nichols, 44, will serve no jail time for her mis-handling of a 911 call from a 5 year-old boy back in 2006. The boy reported that his mother was unconscious, but Nichols and another calltaker mistook the calls for pranks. In fact, the mother was suffering a serious medical problem and died. The other dispatcher, Terri Sutton, 48, dispatched an officer to scold the boy, and charges were dismissed against her in February. Both dispatchers were suspended without pay for five days, and were assigned to administrative duties. Nichols was fired after her conviction. Read more about the sentencing here.