Jaycee Dugard: Shares a bond with Denise Amber Lee and Jennifer Johnson, botched 911 calls

Jaycee Dugard shares a bond with Denise Amber Lee and Jennifer Johnson: botched 911 calls. Jaycee Lee Dugard made headline news when two U.C. Berkeley police officers tipped Phillip Garrido’s parole officer about the man’s relationship with two young girls. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Phillip Garrido was living with the young girl he kidnapped, Jaycee Dugard, and had fathered two children with her. For more on Jaycee Dugard including pictures and photos click here: Jaycee Dugard found: Police discuss her children

However, in November 2006, a neighbor of Phillip Garrido called 911 to report that a woman and her children were living in tents in the backyard of the Garrido home. A police man answered the call yet he never entered the backyard. Had he done so, he surely would have come across the shed serving as a home and the large wire cage adjacent to the shed. If the detective took the time to investigate the situation thoroughly, Jaycee Dugard and her two daughters would have been rescued three years earlier. At least, however, someone in the Dugard case answered the 911 phone call and dispatched officers. This was not the case with Denise Amber Lee, nor was it the case with Jennifer Johnson.

Denise Amber Lee was kidnapped on January 17, 2008. After being snatched away from her home and two precious children, she was raped and terrorized by Michael King. In an amazing feat of bravery, Denise Amber Lee managed to call 911 on her kidnappers’ cell phone. Not only did Denise Amber Lee call 911, but another call was placed, this one by a woman name Jane Kowalski. Jane Kowalski gave information to the 911 operator that should have dispatched officers to the scene of the crime taking place. Jane Kowalski was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher for approximately 9 minutes. She was in a vehicle right next to the kidnapper and Denise Amber Lee, just moments before he ultimately shot and killed her. Though there were four patrol cars within a one mile radius of the vehicle, they were never dispatched.

Jennifer Johnson was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend and locked in the trunk of her car on November 15, 2008. At 5:30 a.m., while still trapped inside the trunk of her car, Jennifer Johnson called 911. Repeatedly, the 911 dispatcher asked where Jennifer was. Jennifer was hysterical and the dispatcher kept telling her to stop screaming. When the 911 call disconnected on Jennifer Johnson’s end, the dispatcher never called her back, violating procedure. Tower signals would have been enough to dispatch police officers to the vicinity. No cars were dispatched. Jennifer Johnson’s deceased body was found three days after the kidnapping.

When a person is in a life and death situation, and they call 911 or someone makes that call for them, it is imperative that officials answer those calls efficiently and quickly. When officers are dispatched they must take every precaution to ensure they are leaving no stone unturned. There are no universal procedures to make certain that 911 dispatchers are trained at handling and dispatching help in emergency situations. The Denise Amber Lee foundation is working to ensure that there will be a time when all 911 centers, across the country, are staffed with highly trained individuals who are well prepared to handle emergency situations. Fortunately Jaycee Dugard and her two daughters were found and reunited with their family. For Jennifer Johnson and Denise Amber Lee, the mistakes made were tragic; they will never see their loved ones again.

For more information on the Denise Amber Lee Foundation click here: Denise Amber Lee Foundation

Jaycee Lee Dugard pictures, photos, and slideshow