A Pennsylvania 911 dispatcher has been charged with manslaughter for not immediately sending an ambulance to a woman in need. The woman died two days later.
It happened when Kelly Titchenell called 911 because her mother had been drinking heavily for several days and it was clear she needed help. She told the dispatcher, "She’s going to die," but the person on the other end of the line didn't listen.
Titchenell was on her way to her mother's house, and the dispatcher, Leon “Lee” Price, told her to wait until she arrived at the home and then call back. “We really need to make sure she’s willing to go,” he said.
When Titchenell arrived at her mother's home, she found her naked and bleeding. First responders did not arrive in a timely fashion. The 54-year-old woman died two days later of internal bleeding.
It's been about two years since Diania Kronk's death. Now, in a rare ruling, the dispatcher is being charged with involuntary manslaughter. Price also faces charges of reckless endangerment, official oppression, and obstruction.
The dispatcher was arraigned on June 29 and released on bail.
Titchenell's attorney, Lawrence E. Bolind Jr., told The Washington Post that Price's hesitance was "an intentional act."
“I believe in my heart that my mother would still be alive if he would have sent an ambulance,” said Titchenell. “It shouldn’t have been his decision. He should have sent an ambulance and let the professionals decide if she should go to the hospital or not.”
Greene County District Attorney Dave Russo said in a news release the dispatcher "violated protocol" by not sending an ambulance in a timely fashion. “According to the investigation, she was denied medical services when all three ambulances were available for dispatch,” Russo said.
If convicted, Price could go to prison for up to 10 years.
