An 8-year-old boy named Ryan Crosby called 911 in Madison, hoping to get help with his math homework. His mother had always told him not to be afraid to call 911 if he ever needed assistance. When the dispatcher answered, Ryan explained that he was alone and struggling with a math problem. Concerned that the boy was unsupervised late at night, the dispatcher kept him on the line while tracing his location and sent police to his home.
When officers arrived, they discovered Ryan was home alone since returning from school, with no adult present. Efforts to contact his mother, Matilda, failed as her phone was off. Sensing something was wrong, the police launched a search using the last known location of her phone. With help from a K9 unit, they found Matilda unconscious in her car on a remote road. She had fainted due to heat exhaustion and was unable to call for help.
Emergency responders quickly transported Matilda to the hospital, where she regained consciousness. She explained that she had taken a shortcut while visiting her sister and had passed out from the heat, with her phone battery dead. Doctors confirmed she had survived thanks to an open car window. The police told her that Ryan’s 911 call had ultimately led to saving her life.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of teaching children when and how to call 911 in an emergency. Though Ryan initially sought help with homework, his call alerted authorities to a dangerous situation. It also highlights the importance of listening carefully to children, as their words may reveal more than meets the eye.