2012.02.07 - 911 Tapes Released

[annalia]

At a literal level, she was to supervise the visit. She allowed the boys to go into the house ahead of her and he was able to shut the door so as to make that impossible. One could argue she was insufficiently on guard because she had become comfortable with this perp and he knew that (of course, I am sure he was willing to kill her if he needed to). She is lucky to be alive. But she did "fail" to supervise the visit. The 911 operator failed to get the right information soon enough to possibly save the boys from smoke inhalation. If we cannot look at all the elements of the situation, we cannot look at how to prevent future ones.

That's why I, and many here, have argued that this perp should never have had visitation at the home because there were too many easy ways that this woman could have been prevented from doing her job, or overpowered and harmed herself - and she was. All the things that went wrong here need to be looked at and changed.

One could argue? One could argue lots of things, even argue just to argue, doesn't make it factual. It was said that they both "failed at their jobs."

Unless someone can show that she was required to either enter first or enter at the same time, that's not evidence that she failed her job.

Many have argued that the perp never should have had visitaion, that has absolutely nothing to do with the SW failing at her job.

The implication is that the SW failed at her job and the boys died, in those minutes that it took her to call 911, the boys lives may have been saved. That's absurd. She "failed" in the same way that even well trained LE goes into situations and get ambushed, totally unexpected resulting in lives lost.

She was calm in her call, and gave him all the pertinent info, it took minutes.

 

[dovebar]

I am not interesting in "arguing." It is a figure of speech only.

A case could be made....
People may say......however.....

 

[shaye]

I can't listen. I've had a difficult time since this happened. I can't listen to those calls right now. My prayers are with Susan's family, the case worker and all of the investigators and first responders who had to work this horrible scene.

I listened, wished I hadn't. It is so heartbreaking all the way around. I agree my heart breaks for Susan's family.
Something similar happened 2 me when I was 6 yrs old. My father was mentally ill, lots of violence in the home until my Mother finally filed for divorce, things got worse, my dad broke into our home & came into the room I was n, woke me up and committed suicide. We found out from other family that he had made comments that he was going to kill my mother, brother, myself then himself. No one ever reported it. My brother had a bad feeling the nite before and went to stay w/my grandmother. He begged my mother to stay, he was 11 at the time. My brother and I both were very afraid of my dad so I didn't want to leave my mother at that house alone so I went home. I think the only reason my father didn't kill us is because my brother wasn't home. I don't know if things would have been different if my mother would have listen to my brother or not. I do believe in my heart he had planned just like Josh a murder/suicide. What changed his thinking only God knows. All of this w/ Josh Powell has brought all those feelings back to the surface for me and it's been 35 yrs now.
I have only shared this w/very close friends but felt the need to share it here 2 night. Sorry for being off topic.

 

[dovebar]

I listened, wished I hadn't. It is so heartbreaking all the way around. I agree my heart breaks for Susan's family.
Something similar happened 2 me when I was 6 yrs old. My father was mentally ill, lots of violence in the home until my Mother finally filed for divorce, things got worse, my dad broke into our home & came into the room I was n, woke me up and committed suicide. We found out from other family that he had made comments that he was going to kill my mother, brother, myself then himself. No one ever reported it. My brother had a bad feeling the nite before and went to stay w/my grandmother. He begged my mother to stay, he was 11 at the time. My brother and I both were very afraid of my dad so I didn't want to leave my mother at that house alone so I went home. I think the only reason my father didn't kill us is because my brother wasn't home. I don't know if things would have been different if my mother would have listen to my brother or not. I do believe in my heart he had planned just like Josh a murder/suicide. What changed his thinking only God knows. All of this w/ Josh Powell has brought all those feelings back to the surface for me and it's been 35 yrs now.
I have only shared this w/very close friends but felt the need to share it here 2 night. Sorry for being off topic.

So sorry you went through that - and glad that you're with us now.

 

[my_tee_mouse]

I listened, wished I hadn't. It is so heartbreaking all the way around. I agree my heart breaks for Susan's family.
Something similar happened 2 me when I was 6 yrs old. My father was mentally ill, lots of violence in the home until my Mother finally filed for divorce, things got worse, my dad broke into our home & came into the room I was n, woke me up and committed suicide. We found out from other family that he had made comments that he was going to kill my mother, brother, myself then himself. No one ever reported it. My brother had a bad feeling the nite before and went to stay w/my grandmother. He begged my mother to stay, he was 11 at the time. My brother and I both were very afraid of my dad so I didn't want to leave my mother at that house alone so I went home. I think the only reason my father didn't kill us is because my brother wasn't home. I don't know if things would have been different if my mother would have listen to my brother or not. I do believe in my heart he had planned just like Josh a murder/suicide. What changed his thinking only God knows. All of this w/ Josh Powell has brought all those feelings back to the surface for me and it's been 35 yrs now.
I have only shared this w/very close friends but felt the need to share it here 2 night. Sorry for being off topic.

Shaye, I am so sorry you've gone through this! Thank God your father "only" took his own life. How traumatic and devastating for you.

My mother chose to kill herself with pills and to die in her own bed with Dad in bed with her and us close by in our bedrooms. Some of the cases here at WS have made me wonder if she ever considered taking us with her (my parents were going to separate on October 12. She died in the wee hours of October 12).

I can understand how this situation has triggered memories and feelings for you, Shaye. I'm glad that you feel safe and comfortable enough to share your story with your fellow posters. That's the beauty of WS: we may not always agree about issues, but we are a community that truly cares about one another. My heart goes out to you.

 

[dovebar]

Shaye, I am so sorry you've gone through this! Thank God your father "only" took his own life. How traumatic and devastating for you.

My mother chose to kill herself with pills and to die in her own bed with Dad in bed with her and us close by in our bedrooms. Some of the cases here at WS have made me wonder if she ever considered taking us with her (my parents were going to separate on October 12. She died in the wee hours of October 12).

I can understand how this situation has triggered memories and feelings for you, Shaye. I'm glad that you feel safe and comfortable enough to share your story with your fellow posters. That's the beauty of WS: we may not always agree about issues, but we are a community that truly cares about one another. My heart goes out to you.

Sheesh, my condolences to you too. Just so sad. I'm glad you have found a good life despite that tragedy.

 

[shaye]

So sorry you went through that - and that you're with us now.

Thank u, I love it here and love everyone here. I had managed to come to terms with most of it in the past few years and it took years. I'm 42 now and when I saw this on Sunday I was physically sick and was shocked at how it took me back to that very day. I was that terrified child all over again. So, I can relate somewhat to the horror those little guys felt when they entered the house of that man, didn't think I had those feelings anymore and just came to forgive my own father because I knew he was sick but now the anger is there again too.
Father's are suppose to protect their children, this I will never understand. Only comfort I take in little Charlie and Braden being gone is that their so called father can never hurt them again or anyone else......I have to believe Susan is w/her babies loving them. I would really be bonkers right now if I thought anything different.
I feel for Susan's family the most and the Case Worker, they are left to pick up the pieces, they have been thru enuff & will be in my prayers. God bless them and those sweet babies.♥♥

 

[shaye]

Shaye, I am so sorry you've gone through this! Thank God your father "only" took his own life. How traumatic and devastating for you.

My mother chose to kill herself with pills and to die in her own bed with Dad in bed with her and us close by in our bedrooms. Some of the cases here at WS have made me wonder if she ever considered taking us with her (my parents were going to separate on October 12. She died in the wee hours of October 12).

I can understand how this situation has triggered memories and feelings for you, Shaye. I'm glad that you feel safe and comfortable enough to share your story with your fellow posters. That's the beauty of WS: we may not always agree about issues, but we are a community that truly cares about one another. My heart goes out to you.

I'm so sorry for your loss too that had to be devastating for u. Suicide is a horrible thing for those left behind so I'm so glad ur still with us. It used to leave a terrible stigma on those left behind not to mention the pain, grieve and of course wondering if maybe I had been better this wouldn't have happened....I used to think that a lot. I am glad that more people are talking about their experiences w/losing someone to suicide because I feel it takes that stigma away and it should. All my ♥♥ to you and glad u shared ur story.

 

[shaye]

Sheesh, my condolences to you too. Just so sad. I'm glad you have found a good life despite that tragedy.

Yes, that was suppose to be my point just didn't come across the way I wanted it. Those kids had a bright future even though their Mother was murdered by a coward, imho. He didn't have to end their lives, I truly believe it was out of Jealousy and Spite so no one else could have them. Luckily, I was able to have a great life , everyone has issues and things to overcome, ya'll now know mine but I have 2 amazing children that have brought me much joy & I truly believe what I went thru as a child made me a better mother so I am blessed, very blessed and thank God daily for those blessings. I'm normally a very happy person but this case is gut wrenching.....I should probably step away from it for a bit for my own sanity, lol.

 

[dovebar]

Yes, that was suppose to be my point just didn't come across the way I wanted it. Those kids had a bright future even though their Mother was murdered by a coward, imho. He didn't have to end their lives, I truly believe it was out of Jealousy and Spite so no one else could have them. Luckily, I was able to have a great life , everyone has issues and things to overcome, ya'll now know mine but I have 2 amazing children that have brought me much joy & I truly believe what I went thru as a child made me a better mother so I am blessed, very blessed and thank God daily for those blessings. I'm normally a very happy person but this case is gut wrenching.....I should probably step away from it for a bit for my own sanity, lol.

I'll never understand all the cosmic reasons why certain things happen to some people - too many things, like Charlie and Braden not only going through a divorce but dying this way. All the recent reports of children molested at school...all these things have made me realize that despite some of the serious and life-threatening things I've been through, the hardships, I feel so lucky, just lucky, that I never had a teacher or parent or relative do anything like what some of these kids go through.

It makes me want to look around and see if there are people struggling with a secret sadness that I can help support - kids where I work, for instance. I feel I need to do more to let people know that it does get better, they can "tell" their struggles, get help, and get on with a happier life.

 

[Concerned Papa]

I'm not defending the 911 operator but after listening to the tapes, I can't say she comes across as having a potential emergency AT FIRST because she doesn't. It's a 3 or so minutes into the call when she FINALLY mentions she smells gas and at least 5 minutes before she states she feels their life is in danger. She starts off the call with "the weirdest thing has happened.. what should I do?". She EVENTUALLY gets it all out but I can understand how the 911 operator may have felt it wasn't an emergency based on her initial delivery of vital information. I'm sure she was in shock but I'm just saying it's not like he ignored her 'frantic pleading' like what's being reported because it's not how she came off in the beginning of the call, IMHO.

One could argue? One could argue lots of things, even argue just to argue, doesn't make it factual. It was said that they both "failed at their jobs."

Unless someone can show that she was required to either enter first or enter at the same time, that's not evidence that she failed her job.

Many have argued that the perp never should have had visitaion, that has absolutely nothing to do with the SW failing at her job.

The implication is that the SW failed at her job and the boys died, in those minutes that it took her to call 911, the boys lives may have been saved. That's absurd. She "failed" in the same way that even well trained LE goes into situations and get ambushed, totally unexpected resulting in lives lost.

She was calm in her call, and gave him all the pertinent info, it took minutes.

BBM

Watch the video.

Josh Powell Tragedy: CPS Worker Pleaded for Cops to Come Before House Blew Up

Moments before Josh Powell ignited a gas-fueled explosion at his home, killing himself and his two children, a locked-out child services worker pleaded with a 911 operator to get police to the home because she feared for the two boys' lives.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/josh-powell-house-explosion-911-calls-released/story?id=15535154

Every syllable of every word heard in this video, from the social worker, was heard by the 911 operator BEFORE the first Fireman or Police Officer was even dispatched.

 

[21merc7]

I'll never understand all the cosmic reasons why certain things happen to some people - too many things, like Charlie and Braden not only going through a divorce but dying this way. All the recent reports of children molested at school...all these things have made me realize that despite some of the serious and life-threatening things I've been through, the hardships, I feel so lucky, just lucky, that I never had a teacher or parent or relative do anything like what some of these kids go through.

It makes me want to look around and see if there are people struggling with a secret sadness that I can help support - kids where I work, for instance. I feel I need to do more to let people know that it does get better, they can "tell" their struggles, get help, and get on with a happier life.

dovebar;

I just want to say if you can try to at least be a kind person to any that are secretly sad it can help. They may not open up for a long, long time, or ever, but any kind person, with kind words and encouragement can really help those that are or have been abused. When I was a child I wished for such a thing, but could never tell what was going on.

 

[dovebar]

dovebar;

I just want to say if you can try to at least be a kind person to any that are secretly sad it can help. They may not open up for a long, long time, or ever, but any kind person, with kind words and encouragement can really help those that are or have been abused. When I was a child I wished for such a thing, but could never tell what was going on.

You are right. There are many people I have not confided in, but I value kindness a lot in people because I had so little of it in many situations in my life. It's like once you've been through some bad bad stuff, you are running a deficit, and you can really benefit from kind people filling that back up, so to speak, until you feel strong again.

 

[21merc7]

It just occurred to me that JP sloshed the gas around the perimeter of the house, but he most likely sloshed some at the door as soon as he hit the boys. Hence the social worker saying she noticed it after he told one of them he had a surprise and hear the other one scream. That way no one could come in through the door, and she (nor the boys) would not notice it instantly. Just a thought.

 

[pip]

I had to make a 911 call today.


I was babysitting my 8 1/2 month old grandson today at his house while mom and dad were out jogging. My grandson has had a cold and had been mildly feverish. We were playing with toys on the floor in the living room and he suddenly fell back and began having a seizure. No history of seizures or other medical conditions, other than this cold he has been enduring. Being an RN, I recognized it was a seizure right away. I secured the area around him, free of toys and objects he may injure himself on and ran to the kitchen to get a phone. I quickly realized my cellphone was dead and found his daddy's cellphone on the counter, I grabbed it and ran back to him, still seizing, and attempted to call 911. I realized quickly that I could not figure his phone out to make the call. I tried and tried but I could not bring up a dial function to call 911....all while realizing I did not know the address I was at, as they had only lived there for 3 months, about 4 blocks from me. I had just driven there routinely, never knowing the address.
I threw open the front door and yelled out for anyone to please call 911 if they could hear me, as I still struggled to figure his phone out in a major panic. My baby grandson was grey, full on tonic clonic seizures and I was stranded, He wasn't breathing and turning blue so I gave him two quick breaths, I looked up and dad was standing on the sidewalk. He ran in, took the phone and called 911. He is fine. We got him to ER and he had a febrile seizure, temp 101.7. He is doing just fine. I am so shaken. As an RN of 25 years, I was rendered ineffective in the home environment by...not having a phone I could call 911 on...and not knowing the address. I am just kicking myself.
So let me break it down for you. As a Grandma...I feel like I did what I could, what any Grandma may experience. As an RN...totally ineffective and unprepared out of my practising environment. If I were a supervisor of visitation, this would be my practising environment and I would be prepared with phone in hand (not in car) and address at fingertips (not in car). The difference is...she was "on the job" and I was not. Moral of the story? All should be prepared in the event of an emergency. I am prepared at work every day by protocols and expectations. I know what number to call in a code, where the phone is and the important info to report...what the problem is ...code blue, code grey, code orange and what room I am in for the appropriate team to respond immediately. As a grandma at home.. I encountered crisis without established, practiced protocol and it was a major FAIL. This SW was at her JOB. She should have been programmed and trained to respond like I do at my job, not like my day off at home, where I failed. We have since posted all pertinent info on a main board in the kitchen etc. The Nanny is to be trained in home emergency protocols, as well as any other caregivers, such as this dear Granny.
For what it's worth.

 

[dovebar]

I had to make a 911 call today.


I was babysitting my 8 1/2 month old grandson today at his house while mom and dad were out jogging. My grandson has had a cold and had been mildly feverish. We were playing with toys on the floor in the living room and he suddenly fell back and began having a seizure. No history of seizures or other medical conditions, other than this cold he has been enduring. Being an RN, I recognized it was a seizure right away. I secured the area around him, free of toys and objects he may injure himself on and ran to the kitchen to get a phone. I quickly realized my cellphone was dead and found his daddy's cellphone on the counter, I grabbed it and ran back to him, still seizing, and attempted to call 911. I realized quickly that I could not figure his phone out to make the call. I tried and tried but I could not bring up a dial function to call 911....all while realizing I did not know the address I was at, as they had only lived there for 3 months, about 4 blocks from me. I had just driven there routinely, never knowing the address.
I threw open the front door and yelled out for anyone to please call 911 if they could hear me, as I still struggled to figure his phone out in a major panic. My baby grandson was grey, full on tonic clonic seizures and I was stranded, He wasn't breathing and turning blue so I gave him two quick breaths, I looked up and dad was standing on the sidewalk. He ran in, took the phone and called 911. He is fine. We got him to ER and he had a febrile seizure, temp 101.7. He is doing just fine. I am so shaken. As an RN of 25 years, I was rendered ineffective in the home environment by...not having a phone I could call 911 on...and not knowing the address. I am just kicking myself.
So let me break it down for you. As a Grandma...I feel like I did what I could, what any Grandma may experience. As an RN...totally ineffective and unprepared out of my practising environment. If I were a supervisor of visitation, this would be my practising environment and I would be prepared with phone in hand (not in car) and address at fingertips (not in car). The difference is...she was "on the job" and I was not. Moral of the story? All should be prepared in the event of an emergency. I am prepared at work every day by protocols and expectations. I know what number to call in a code, where the phone is and the important info to report...what the problem is ...code blue, code grey, code orange and what room I am in for the appropriate team to respond immediately. As a grandma at home.. I encountered crisis without established, practiced protocol and it was a major FAIL. This SW was at her JOB. She should have been programmed and trained to respond like I do at my job, not like my day off at home, where I failed. We have since posted all pertinent info on a main board in the kitchen etc. The Nanny is to be trained in home emergency protocols, as well as any other caregivers, such as this dear Granny.
For what it's worth.

Interesting scenario, and so glad it ended happily.

It would be pretty interesting to learn about the history of "codes" being developed in hospitals. I'd bet that before the code system, there were many complications and deaths caused by the kinds of communication breakdowns that we saw in this case. There needs to be a code of "supervised visitation fail" that all supervisors and 911 operators know instantly, and that kick it immediately to emergency status.

 

[pip]

Interesting scenario, and so glad it ended happily.

It would be pretty interesting to learn about the history of "codes" being developed in hospitals. I'd bet that before the code system, there were many complications and deaths caused by the kinds of communication breakdowns that we saw in this case. There needs to be a code of "supervised visitation fail" that all supervisors and 911 operators know instantly, and that kick it immediately to emergency status.

Always a work in progress towards perfection for many years in all public safety arenas. This is nothing new. Debriefing post crisis always gleans new information and ideas for improvement, Medical, fire, police, child welfare...all public service agencies. Review and revision is standard procedure.

 

[pip]

FYI- This was a call made within Seattle proper. Baby having seizure, Response time under 5 minutes.

 

[goaskalice]

http://mynorthwest.com/11/625652/Josh-Powell-had-incestuous-images-on-home-computer

 

[goaskalice]

Interesting scenario, and so glad it ended happily.

It would be pretty interesting to learn about the history of "codes" being developed in hospitals. I'd bet that before the code system, there were many complications and deaths caused by the kinds of communication breakdowns that we saw in this case. There needs to be a code of "supervised visitation fail" that all supervisors and 911 operators know instantly, and that kick it immediately to emergency status.

That should be first priority now...I agree codes are the key. From the jail where he talked to his father everyday, to the warden who calls the detectives on the case and keep her family in the loop. never should have been at his home, a public place inside a building where they have gun detectors...Don't they get it now, they were dealing with two psychopaths. A code from SS to 911, every city in this country. makes me very sad.