Terrified teen hid in closet and called 911 when thieves broke in—what the operator did next saved her life
No child should have to go through life-threatening situations like robbery or kidnapping. These events leave a traumatic impact and cause so much terror and fright as they unfold. Then 15-year-old Doyin Oladipupo unfortunately experienced a robbery when she was at home, per ABC News. Confused and frightened to death, the girl managed to hide and dial 911 for assistance. The operator, Angie Rivera, who was connected with Oladipupo, talked the girl through and managed to use her sharp skills to save the teenager’s life. The footage revealed how the call unfolded and it was the dispatcher’s calm and assuring guidance that took the front seat in getting the girl to safety.
Oladipupo was home alone when burglars broke into her home. The scared girl ran to her parents’ bedroom upstairs and managed to hide in the closet. She quickly called the emergency services and explained the situation to the dispatcher as best as possible. Rivera asked the girl whether anyone was expected to be home and she confirmed that both her parents were away at work. Requesting the officer to “hurry” out of fear, the girl was crouched in the corner of her parents’ closet. Rivera empathized with the 15-year-old and assured her that help was on the way. She shared that she was trained to be calm and help the victim no matter what and she ensured she did just that.
Things were getting more and more risky with every moment. The intruders managed to get up to the room where Oladipupo was and the girl, shaking with fear, tried to talk to Rivera in the corner of the closet. The call captured the teenager’s fright and sudden silence as the thieves were heard yelling and in motion. As soon as the woman heard the intruders, she quickly requested the girl not to speak a word. Rivera had to get the information necessary and stay on call, but having the intruders just around the corner meant more danger. So, she instead asked Oladipupo to pay careful attention to what she was saying and respond by tapping on the phone.
“Something got to me to keep her quiet and I tried to whisper on the phone. When you’re talking to a child, I don’t know, the mother in me comes out,” Rivera noted. Thanks to her instant change of tone and induced silence, the burglars didn’t notice the teenager in the house and fled, leaving the girl unharmed. They were soon caught by the police. Oladipupo was still on call with Rivera until help arrived and she credited the dispatcher for her assuring, consistent and smart help.
It was Rivera’s smart observation and listening that helped her take the call without being loud and still keep the call in progress. She managed to save the girl’s life while taking her through the life-threatening experience supportively. “If I wasn’t on the phone with somebody, I would have probably freaked out,” the girl said. The incident became a lesson for both the 15-year-old and the dispatcher that remaining calm can often be a leading factor in saving a life.