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By Chantal Wagner

inactive phone play

Hundreds of 911 calls found to be from a curious 5-year-old

Aug 14, 2020 | 6:06 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Police say a source of frivolous 911 calls was found to be a curious 5-year-old.

On Thursday afternoon, they said over the past 24 hours hundreds of calls were made to Medicine Hat 911 communication centre from a disconnected cell phone in the area.

Adding that the caller was believed to be a female child who was playing with an inactive phone.

Police say these phones maintain communication with the cellular network as a safety mechanism for 911 emergencies only.

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“When 911 communication lines are tied up these types of frivolous calls it can prevent legitimate 911 emergencies from being reported or attended by local emergency services,” a release from police states.

“Parents are asked to monitor their children to ensure that they are not calling 911 from these inactive devices and request that inactive cellular devices are not given to children as toys.”

Police thank parents and family members who checked with their children and their devices to help find the source of the calls.