Toddler Dials 911, and a Greenville, SC Cop Helped Save Her Day

By S. Randall Hood | March 22, 2016

In Greenville, SC, a two-year-old girl named Aaliyah Garrett was having some trouble, so she dialed 911. Aaliyah's grandfather, who was in the next room, was unaware that the toddler had dialed 911 until Deputy Martha Lohnes from the Greenville County Sherriff's office appeared at the front door. As Aaliiyah's grandfather was answering the door and telling Deputy Lohnes that there was no emergency, the little girl popped up and waved at the officer to get her attention – because she was having trouble getting her pants on. The deputy sat down and helped Aaliyah get her pants on, and then she asked for help getting her shoes on. When that was done, the little girl hugged the officer and acted as if she didn't want to let her go. According to an abcnews.com report, Aaliyah's mother, Pebbles Ryan, said that she has taught her daughter to call 911 for help in an emergency, but she never expected the little girl might call to get help putting her pants on. Ms. Ryan said, "I'm just grateful for the deputy and her kind, wonderful heart, though," she said. "She really took the time out of her day to make sure everything was OK even though she knew it was just a little baby calling. That means a lot to me." At the Greenville County Sherriff's Office, Deputy Michael Douglas praised the way Deputy Lohnes handled the situation. He then added that there were more than 250,000 accidental 911 calls made in 2015 in Greenville, South Carolina. On the Greenville County Sherriff's Office website, it is reported that they respond to over 280,000 calls annually, which results in excess of 30,000 incident reports each year. A feature that the Greenville Sherriff's Office launched a few years ago was the "Text to 911" Service that allows citizens to send a text message when they need emergency services. The sheriff’s office says that the best way to get a fast response is to call 911 and speak to an operator, but sending a text message is an alternative for people who have speech or hearing impairment, or when dialing and speaking to a dispatcher might place someone in jeopardy. The legal team at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, is here for you when you need help, and we strive to protect our friends and neighbors every day. You are welcome to contact us today, or to call 803-327-7800 for a free consultation at any of our offices throughout South Carolina.In Greenville, SC, a two-year-old girl named Aaliyah Garrett was having some trouble, so she dialed 911. Aaliyah’s grandfather, who was in the next room, was unaware that the toddler had dialed 911 until Deputy Martha Lohnes from the Greenville County Sherriff’s office appeared at the front door. As Aaliiyah’s grandfather was answering the door and telling Deputy Lohnes that there was no emergency, the little girl popped up and waved at the officer to get her attention – because she was having trouble getting her pants on. The deputy sat down and helped Aaliyah get her pants on, and then she asked for help getting her shoes on. When that was done, the little girl hugged the officer and acted as if she didn’t want to let her go.

According to an abcnews.com report, Aaliyah’s mother, Pebbles Ryan, said that she has taught her daughter to call 911 for help in an emergency, but she never expected the little girl might call to get help putting her pants on. Ms. Ryan said, “I’m just grateful for the deputy and her kind, wonderful heart, though,” she said. “She really took the time out of her day to make sure everything was OK even though she knew it was just a little baby calling. That means a lot to me.”

At the Greenville County Sherriff’s Office, Deputy Michael Douglas praised the way Deputy Lohnes handled the situation. He then added that there were more than 250,000 accidental 911 calls made in 2015 in Greenville, South Carolina. On the Greenville County Sherriff’s Office website, it is reported that they respond to over 280,000 calls annually, which results in excess of 30,000 incident reports each year.

A feature that the Greenville Sherriff’s Office launched a few years ago was the “Text to 911” Service that allows citizens to send a text message when they need emergency services. The sheriff’s office says that the best way to get a fast response is to call 911 and speak to an operator, but sending a text message is an alternative for people who have speech or hearing impairment, or when dialing and speaking to a dispatcher might place someone in jeopardy.

The legal team at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, is here for you when you need help, and we strive to protect our friends and neighbors every day. You are welcome to contact us today, or to call 803-327-7800 for a free consultation at any of our offices throughout South Carolina.

 

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