New Orleans 911 operator, 25, is wanted ‘for intentionally hanging up on callers’

A New Orleans 911 operator is facing arrest for allegedly hanging up on callers reporting emergencies without taking down their information or passing it on to first-responders.

The New Orleans Police Department on Thursday obtained a warrant for 25-year-old Precious Stephens on charges of malfeasance in office and interfering with an emergency communication.

If convicted of both charges, Stephens could face up to five-and-a-half years in prison and a fine.

Precious Stephens, a former 911 dispatcher from New Orleans, has a warrant out for her arrest on charges of malfeasance in office and interfering with an emergency communication

Stephens was fired from her job as a 911 dispatcher with the Orleans Parish Communication District (pictured) last week

Stephens has been fired from her job with the Orleans Parish Communication District. She has not been arrested as of Friday morning. 

An investigation into Stephens was launched on August 23, when the dispatch center reported to the police that the woman had deliberately disconnected 911 calls without taking down necessary information, or relaying it to other dispatchers to summon help, reported Nola.com.

Stephens’ suspected wrongdoing was uncovered when district officials listened back to some random 911 calls that she had responded to during her shifts on August 20 and August 21 for the purpose of quality control.

The district said in a statement that its own internal policies helped identify problems with Stephens, who was then referred to the police and terminated.

Officials with the district (pictured) say that Stephens is accused of hanging up on 911 callers without taking down their information, or relaying it to other dispatchers for help

Stephens was ousted from the 911 dispatch center just days before Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana, causing widespread power outages, flooding, disabling water systems. 

At least 13 deaths have been blamed on the storm in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Police are asking anyone with information on Stephens’ whereabouts to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.