Hoax call about baby thrown from car came from OKC officers, now put on administrative leave
OKLAHOMA CITY –
UPDATE: Officers involved in prank call put on administrative leave as investigation continues.
Authorities have not disclosed the number of officers involved in the incident, and say no decisions on possible actions against the officers have been made at this time.
Original Story:
A report of a baby thrown from a moving car sparked a multi-agency police response in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, but authorities said Thursday the entire incident was an elaborate April Fools’ Day hoax, and the call originated from within their own department.
According to Oklahoma City police, dispatchers initially received a call from an officer claiming to be in pursuit of a suspect vehicle. The situation quickly escalated, with updates relayed through messages rather than radio, as the officer reportedly said their radio was not working.
As dispatchers worked to piece together information, the call grew increasingly alarming. At one point, a message was sent about a baby being thrown from a vehicle near Southwest 36th Street and Robinson Avenue. Other radio traffic said the suspect vehicle, described as a red Dodge Charger without a tag, had also been involved in a hit-and-run involving a transient.
The severity of the reports prompted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol offering assistance, according to radio traffic. But investigators later determined none of the reported incidents actually occurred.
“It’s pretty unbelievable that a member of law enforcement would make a fake call to 911, whether it be on April Fool’s Day or any other day,” said legal expert Ed Blau.
Blau said false reports can have serious consequences, not only because they are illegal but because they divert critical resources.
“The issue is when somebody makes a fake or hoax call into law enforcement that diverts resources that should be out responding to actual calls, investigating crimes, helping citizens, it can create a public safety issue for other individuals in the community,” Blau said.
Under Oklahoma law, making a false report that initiates police response is a misdemeanor punishable by jail time, a fine, or both. In some cases, individuals may also be required to pay restitution if significant resources are used in response.
Oklahoma City police has launched an internal investigation into the incident and said a statement from the chief’s office is expected.
In a statement, OCPD said,
“We are aware of a reported pursuit involving some of our officers that included serious claims, which has since been determined to be false. The matter is currently under review as part of an internal investigation. Due to the ongoing nature of this process, we are unable to release any additional information at this time. We take this situation seriously and are committed to ensuring a thorough review is conducted.”
