99-year-old Milwaukee woman attacked in her home, officials investigate delayed 911 response

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 99-year-old Milwaukee woman survived a violent home invasion, but now officials are investigating why emergency responders were not sent to help her for nearly three hours, despite multiple calls to 911.

Two Milwaukee emergency dispatchers have now been placed on paid administrative leave.

The first warning came shortly after 5:15 a.m. Monday, when a third-party medical alert company contacted Milwaukee’s Department of Emergency Communications to report a disturbance and possible physical harm involving the woman.

Minutes later, the company called again and provided dispatchers with what officials described as a live audio feed from inside the home.

“Shut the (expletive) up,” the suspect is heard in dispatch calls threatening the woman. “I’m about to beat the (expletive) out of you.”

Despite the calls, no police officers, firefighters, or paramedics were dispatched.

Nearly three hours later, the woman was able to call 911 herself.

“I’ve been attacked. I need help,” she told emergency dispatchers.

“Every ounce of your humanity cries out to do something in that situation,” said Alderman Scott Spiker, who chairs Milwaukee’s Public Safety and Health Committee.

Police say a 22-year-old man is accused of breaking into the home and attacking her, but one question remains: what took dispatchers so long?

Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications Director Tony Bueno says a full investigation is underway.

“These two calls were not handled with the care that I hope the department knows that we expect,” Bueno said.

Officials say the review could lead to policy changes, procedural changes, or discipline.

“It was not given the urgency that it required,” said Bueno.

Both dispatchers remain on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

For Alderman Spiker, the recordings the recordings raise troubling questions.

“Was this a case of two telecommunicators making a mistake that’s not going deeper than that, or are there problems with policies and procedures?” said Spiker.

The 22-year-old man was arrested, and the 99-year-old woman is expected to survive.