A 911 operator is wanted by police after she allegedly disconnected emergency calls without obtaining the necessary information.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, 25-year-old Precious Stephens, who worked with the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD) at the time, also failed to relay the emergencies to other dispatchers so that they could aid the caller.
Police said in a statement on Twitter that Stephens is being "sought on charges of malfeasance in office and interfering with an emergency communication."
According to the legal system in Louisiana, malfeasance in office entails unlawfully performing a job in public service and can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 or both.
A report into Stephen's case was taken on August 23 after she was reported by the OPCD to police, who have since obtained an arrest warrant for her.
The OPCD had investigated a series of random calls with Stephens during her shifts on August 20 and August 21, police told NOLA.com.
The calls had allegedly seen her hang up on those who had dialed 911 in order to obtain help from the emergency services. She is also not believed to have taken any adequate steps to ensure the callers received the aid that they needed.
The district fired Stephens after intercepting the mishandled calls and promptly reported the 25-year-old to police.
In a statement per NOLA.com, the district said that they "[have] and will continue to cooperate with the ... investigation into this matter and [are] dedicated to providing any and all assistance to aid in (the) efforts."
The authorities are urging anyone with any information on Stephen's whereabouts to call the police department on 504-658-6030. A reward of up to $2500 is being offered in exchange for aiding in her arrest.
It goes without saying that the case has sparked an outcry online, with one person arguing: "Overwhelmed or not, it was her job to take the calls she received serious. Hanging up on people or disregarding their calls is in fact a crime.
"Asking for help or a supervisor would have been appropriate. But I can also under the levels of stress she was probably under!"
Another said: "If you can't stand the pressure, quit the job."
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